Geraldine Mary Pickup, 94
Geraldine Mary Pickup, 94, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Geraldine was born in Newton, Iowa, on Dec. 21, 1914, to Everitt William Swan and Myrtle Ila (Wheeler) Swan. At a very young age, she and her family moved to Denver, Colo., where she became a member of the Trinity Methodist Church.
She attended East High School, in Denver, excelling in the area of writing and journalism. There she met her high school sweetheart, Judson H. Pickup, whom she married on Aug. 2, 1936. Judd and Jeri shared a loving relationship and marriage for 75 years.
Geraldine enjoyed her children immensely. She was “in charge” of their upbringing while Judson worked and was gone on business trips. She handled chicken pox, measles, mumps, and broken bones, generally on her own. She became quite skilled in nursing, discipline, and homework in those early childhood years. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader as well as a PTA room mother. She was an officer in Eastern Star and active in Job’s Daughters. Her children and their activities were the highlights of her life. Being an outstanding mother was her career. No two children could have been more fortunate.
In 1977, she became a grandmother for the first time … happiness arrived every two years after that as Diana, Linda, Jon, and Laura’s arrivals heralded more grandchildren. She was such fun as a grandmother, extending her skills to jam making, crocheting and knitting incredibly lovely afghans, playing boardgames (long after the other adults had wearied of this) and reading to the grandchildren.
She loved to read and created a love in others for literature. Her children and grandchildren grew up knowing the beauty and value of reading, having been exposed to the very best books. She also instilled an interest in putting your thoughts down in writing. In her youth, she had had several articles published in the newspaper.
Most of Geraldine and Judson’s retirement years were spent in the Northwest, living in Hayden and Coeur d’Alene. They lived in Leisure Park for 11 years, where they enjoyed attending social activities with new friends. They were active in the Community United Methodist Church and other community events. She and Judson moved to The Loyalton in 2007 and became part of a very close knit group of friends. She remained socially involved with her friends even after the loss of her husband last May. She remained in excellent health and gained pleasure from doing new and exciting things. At the age of 94, she even did a television commercial for Advanced Home Medical Supply.
Geraldine will be missed by her family and dear friends. We will miss her intelligence, patience with others, very dry sense of humor, and compassionate loving ways.
Geraldine is survived by her daughters, Judi Lundak of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Jean Fastenow, Okanogan, Wash.; four grandchildren, Diana Hartman of Bozeman, Mont., Linda McCorgary of Spokane, Wash., Jon Lundak of Walla Walla, Wash., and Laura Lundak of Sandpoint; one great-granddaughter, Mya Jean Hartman of Bozeman, Mont.; and three nieces, and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judson; her mother and father; sister, Carmen; and brother, Dwight.
A memorial service will be held a 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at The Loyalton (205 E. Anton Ave.) in Coeur d’Alene, with Pastor Heather Seman of the Community United Methodist Church officiating. Following the memorial, a reception will be held in the Loyalton library.