Estelle M. Pickard

PICKARD
Estelle M.
(nee Dzinski) On August 28, 2013 of Blackwood. Age 74. Devoted mother of John W. , III, Karyn M. Pickard, Tracey L. Lynch (Don), Guy T. and Mark J. Pickard (the late Robyn). Loving grandmother of Erin, Katie, Anthony, Tyler, D.J., Doug, Dayle and Dakota. Dear sister of Donald (Charlene) and Bruce Dzinski (Donna).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Thursday 4:00-5:30 pm at the Egizi Funeral Home 119 Ganttown Rd. Washington Twp. Memorial service 5:30 pm. Interment will be private. Following her memorial service, family and friends are invited back to the Gloucester Twp. Democratic Club in Blackwood to celebrate Estelle’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Estelle’s memory be made to Rose’s Fund for Animals, P.O. Box 24, Avon by the Sea, NJ 07717 or by visiting www.rosesfund.org.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”

Dearest Mom,
At a very young age, you became a single parent and you did an amazing job raising five children on your own. You were without a doubt, the best parent, mother, mom,mommy we could have ever asked for. About the same time, some thirty years ago, you started your career as a dispatcher at the G loucester Township Police Department. If a dispatcher could have become the highest ranked official within the department, you would have owned it!
When we were young, you entertained us while singing and playing the piano. Each one of us has fond memories of dancing around the living room laughing and loving life. There were so many things you did that separated you from all the other moms, including the fifty pounds of tinsel that you put on our Christmas tree strand by strand every year. We rode our bikes as a family to the Blackwood Swim Club everyday during the summer. We must have looked like a family of ducklings following the Mama duck. You made the best school lunches ever. Leftovers for lunch was an art and we all remember our grade school lunch. You played frisbee with us in the yard and you made sure that each of us had the opportunity to participate in activities that allowed us to grow and develop character. Whether it was scouts, sports or music lessons you made sure we didnt miss out on anything. Again, you shuffled this deck of cards alone and you did a damn good job. You were a survivor and you taught us to be survivors as well.
There were so many things you enjoyed doing. You loved to read, you were so smart and you knew everything. You could have been a player on the Jeoprady show. You amazed us with your love of animals. All animals, wild and domestic. You loved them all. You would have cuddled with a crocodile if at all possible. We have seen you kiss skunks, camels,lizards and horses. It didn’t matter, you loved them all and you kissed them all too!
You made sure we experienced the arts and culture. You loved theater including plays and musicals. You shared this love with all of us including your grandchildren. We all have special memories of going to shows with you from Philadelphia to New York. The most awesome day was when you took us ( all of us) to see the Lion King on Broadway. That Mama duck with her ducklings in tow again. What an amazing day. We took that theater over. Grandchildren taking up one row and you and your children sitting behind them. You were so proud and happy that day. As you should have been. You earned it. There were other shows too that you made sure we all got to go to. From Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, Wicked and the Nutcracker, you made sure we all had the opportunity to enjoy the arts. You also loved to travel. And of course you shared that with us too. From Montana, Hawaii,Alaska, Maine , Tangier Island, New York, Canada to name a few, you shared these travel experiences with us as well. However, most impressive was how you made sure to take each of your grandchildren to Disney World for their fifth birthday. You even made sure your youngest grandson got there while you were fighting for your life.. Again you will always be an amazing woman. A survivor!
You loved your children more than life itself. You never turned your back on any of us even when we made bad choices. Your love for your grandchildren is legendary. Each one of us will forever have your imprint in our hearts. This letter could go on and on. Not only because you were an amazing Mother, Mommy, Mom, Daughter,Sister, and Friend, it could go on forever because this final goodbye is so painful.
We as your children promise to hold on to that strong family bond that cannot be broken. We also want to thank you for your demonstration of strength and courage as you fought this disease with the fight of a true hero. Your ability to laugh and make jokes all the way to the end has helped us in dealing with our sorrow and pain. And again, through your final breath, you showed us how to be strong and proud.
We also promise to uphold all of our family traditions as we do love them especially Christmas Eve. Please enjoy this journey. We will miss you more than you could ever know. And we love you more today than we did yesterday. Be at peace. And again, thanks for being the best Mom and Bobci ever.

Love,
Johnny, Karyn, Tracey, Guy and Mark
Erin, Kate, Anthony, Tyler, DJ, Doug, Dayle and Dakota