Elizabeth Pickering

Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1922 and third child of John and Essie Williamson, she graduated from Maury High School in 1940 and then attended nurse's training at Norfolk's Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital.

Her World War Two years were vibrant. As a Bell Telephone operator, she helped capture saboteurs planning to bomb Charleston, South Carolina. Elizabeth broke company rules and stayed on the line after making a long distance connection. The two parties seemed to be speaking in code. Her supervisors traced the call and the FBI quickly apprehended the attackers. Her two-acre Victory Garden in Wellfleet, Massachusetts was a source of pride. She crossed the country to join her husband Tom during his military service on the West Coast, and always laughed at the memory of repeatedly fighting off the advances of a famous radio star during the train trip.

Before retiring to Wellfleet, Massachusetts in the eighties, Elizabeth and Tom raised their three children in Braintree, Massachusetts. She was an active member of Braintree's First Congregational Church where she served as Deaconess and Sodalitas Club leader. And though she never completely adapted to New England (always considering pumpkin pie a lesser version of sweet potato pie) she loved candlepin bowling. She was a skilled baker and a favorite contributor to church suppers. She said of potlucks, "It's my pot and their luck." Her wit was razor sharp. Though Alzheimer's dimmed her memory, it could not tarnish her humor.

For almost seventy years, Elizabeth was the wife of the late Thomas R. Pickering. She is survived by her sons Lt. Col. Thomas R. Pickering, Jr. USAF Ret. of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Richard Pickering of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. She leaves behind her five grandchildren, Chad Smith of Beaumont, Texas; Amy Smith Giangregorio of Wellfleet, Massachusetts; Karen Foley of Parkville, Maryland; Elizabeth Greer of Mechanicsville, Maryland; and Catherine Sheaffer of California, Maryland. She is also survived by four great grandchildren: Anna and Nathan Foley, Kelly Greer and Jeffrey Sheaffer. She was pre-deceased by her three siblings and her daughter, Judith Pickering Smith of Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Pickerings would like to thank the Epoch of Harwich staff for the excellent and loving care they provided Elizabeth and her family while she lived at Bayview, the memory care wing. They are incomparable. And also the supportive staffs at Dunkin Donuts in Orleans and Harwich who remembered favorite fancies or provided small regular coffees in large cups to ease tremulous senior hands. They nurtured so many good conversations with simple pleasures.

A private memorial service for family will be held on Saturday at noon at the Nickerson Funeral Home, Main Street, Wellfleet. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, Massachusetts in honor of their faithful ministry to Elizabeth while at Epoch of Harwich. For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com