Eileen Pickett

LAFAYETTE MANOR, DARLINGTON, WI - Eileen C. Pickett passed into the arms of God and the angels on Sunday morning, March 28, 2021 at the Lafayette Manor under the loving care of their wonderful staff. Eileen Cecelia Pickett was born March 22, 1930, in Kendall Township, rural Darlington, Wisconsin, one of nine children born to James and Mary (O'Brien) Holland. Eileen's sisters and brother include: Eleanor (Robert) Bartig; Mary (Paul) Gille; Lorraine Holland; Roseanna (Donald) VanMatre; Mildred (Kenneth) Schewe; Loretta (Donald) Wilhelmson; Joseph Holland; and Vera (Robert) Findley.Eileen attended Darlington High School, graduating with the class of 1948. She then went on to graduate from the Milwaukee Accredit Beauty School in Madison, WI in 1949. Immediately after graduation she began working for Tryett Beauty Salon in Darlington.Eileen married her high school sweetheart, Merle Pickett on December 28, 1949, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Truman, Wisconsin. They shared over 43 years together, before Merle's death on July 19, 1993. They were blessed with two sons: Stephen (Debra) Pickett of Darlington, WI Gregory (Mary Anne) Pickett of Darlington, WIEileen is also survived by her four grandchildren: Kristen (John Perkins) Pickett of Madison, WI; Abbie (Chris) Holland Schmit of LaGrange Park, IL; Ethan Pickett of Miami Beach, FL; and McKenzie Pickett of New York, NY; four great-grandchildren: Henry and Leo Perkins, and Norah and Miles Schmit; her sister, Vera Finley of Oregon, WI; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Besides her husband and parents, Eileen was also preceded in death by her father- and mother-in-law, Floyd and Thelma Pickett; brother, Joe Holland; sisters: Eleanor Bartig; Mary Gille; Lorraine Holland; Roseanna VanMatre; Mildred Schewe; Loretta Wilhelmson; brothers-in-law: Robert Bartig, Paul Gille, Donald VanMatre, Robert "Bob" Finley, Ken Schewe, and Donald Wilhelmson; nephews: Michael Finley, David Schewe, Dennis Bartig and Daniel Holland; her niece Colleen Gille; and her nephew: Patrick Gille.Eileen and Merle lived in Darlington from 1949 until 1970, except for 3 1/2 years when they lived in Belleville, WI. They moved to Beverly Hills, Florida in 1970, where Eileen worked with Nu Yu Beauty Salon for over 25 years. She was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, its Council of Catholic Women and Quest. Eileen lived in Beverly Hills until 2011, when she moved back to Darlington to be closer to her family.Eileen was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Darlington and its Council of Catholic Women. She believed in the power of the Rosary and recited it often. She was proud to be Irish and cherished her trip to Ireland with her sisters and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Eileen lived her Catholic, Christian faith every day, which helped her survive the loss of her husband, Parkinson's Disease and dementia, while maintaining her wonderful Irish wit. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and until we meet again, May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.Due to Covid-19, a celebration of Eileen's life will be held during the Holland family reunion in July. Internment will be done at a later date in Beverly Hills, FL