Esther "Joy" Pickering

Esther “Joy” Pickering of Woodland Hills, California passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the age of 94. Born on May 27, 1931 to William Lawrence and Meta Chappel, Joy grew up in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1949.

A chance meeting with a young man at an ice cream truck would forever change her life. Eugene Pickering, who was on leave from the military, would eventually become her lifelong love. They were married October 8, 1949 and enjoyed 74 wonderful years together.

As a bookkeeper, Joy worked alongside her husband at Pickering Construction, where they ran the business together and established themselves as respected professionals in their field. She had a natural rapport with clients, who often included recognizable names from the entertainment industry.

Joy found happiness in life’s quiet, simple pleasures. She delighted in tending her gardens—both flowers and vegetables—and watching each season bring new life to the things she lovingly cared for. Gifted with a talent for sewing, she created beautiful clothing for her family, each piece made with care. In quieter moments, she could often be found with a good book in hand, as reading was one of her favorite pastimes.

Her love of camping and travel led her on many memorable adventures. She was especially fond of Huntington Lake, the Oregon Coast and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, yet what she cherished most was sharing those experiences with the people she loved.

Joy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Pickering; her father, William Lawrence Chappel; her mother, Meta Chappel-Price; and her twin sister, Eleanor Jean Halks.

She leaves behind her children, Cheryl DeLorenzo (George), James Pickering (Mary Jo), Cynthia Kendall (Bill), Patricia Penny (Bill), and Christine Jude (Jeff); her grandchildren, Angelo DeLorenzo, Leslie Miller, Robert Pickering, Michael Kendall, Timothy McClive, BreAnne Stuthers, Daniel McClive, Kenneth McClive, Travis Jude, Amy Shillig, and Eric Jude; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Joy had a deep and abiding faith in God. She lived with quiet devotion and kindness, and her beliefs guided the way she loved and cared for her family and community. She believed in serving with love, and spent many Sundays in the small library at her church helping others find just the right spiritual book. Her faith carried her through life’s joys and hardships and inspired the love and generosity she shared so freely. Joy now rests in God’s peace, reunited with her Savior and those who went before her. Her impact on her family and those who knew her cannot be measured and she will remain forever in our hearts.

The family would like to thank Ivy Park at Wood Ranch and Pacific Crest Hospice for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in her final days.

A private family viewing and memorial service will be held at Pierce Brothers Dignity Oaks on Monday, March 16th.