Ann was born Eleanor Ann Genaux on May 13, 1928, in Pullman, WA, to Charles Murray Genaux and Selina Eleanor (McCoy) Genaux. She was 88 years old when she died on Sunday, December 25, 2016, in Mt. Vernon, WA. Ann had been in declining health and entered hospice care after a serious leg fracture.

Ann's family was originally from Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, but lived in several states while her father taught Forestry at the college level. Ann graduated early from high school in 1944 and then attended nursing school. Ann met Robert Pickett while she was in nursing school. They married in 1947.

When Ann completed her nursing degree, she worked in Chicago at Cook County General Hospital, then worked in Milwaukee, WI, before moving to Phoenix, AZ, in 1951. The family left Phoenix and briefly settled in Montana before moving to La Grande, OR, in 1964. Ann retired from Grande Ronde Hospital as the charge nurse on night shift for the Medical-Surgical unit. She volunteered for several years with the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary after retiring.

Ann always loved nursing, especially providing direct nursing care to her patients. Ann also loved gardening, visiting friends and caring for her family. Ann and Robert were also active in the La Grande Star Promenaders square dancing club for many years. Ann was an avid reader and recorded the titles and authors of all the books she read. Ann loved discussing everything from theology to social issues to conceptual physics. Ann was noted for her sense of humor, great vocabulary and her fondness for word plays and spoonerisms.

Ann and Robert moved from La Grande to Boise, ID, in 2008 to share a home with Kathleen and her family, who provided care and support for eight years. Ann continued to correspond with friends and co-workers from the La Grande area and valued them highly . Ann moved to Mt. Vernon, WA, in June 2016 to an Assisted Living Facility that provided her basic care needs, with Angela and Sue providing additional support.

Ann was predeceased by her husband Robert, father Charles, mother Eleanor, brother Charles, son Claude and daughter Eileen. Survivors include children and their spouses: Charles and Robin Pickett of Independence, MO; Angela Bey and Sue Bloomfield of Mt. Vernon, WA; and Kathleen and Bartt Anderson of Boise, ID. Ann is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild and three nieces.

At Ann's request, there will be no public service. Ann's and Robert's ashes will be scattered together at their request in an area they both loved.