Kim Picken, 51, of Vero Beach, passed away after a long illness on May 30, 2014.
She is survived by her devoted parents William R. and Christine A. Picken; brothers Todd Picken (Jennifer), Mace Picken (Raquel); nephews Garett and Alexander Picken; niece Samantha Charisse Picken; grandmother Annie B. Bilodeau; uncle Gregory C. Picken (Holly); aunt Barbara W. Kelly; great-aunt Bertha St. Arnauld; and numerous cousins.
She was born on Warner Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga., and resided in Stamford, Conn., for 25 years before moving in 1991 to Vero Beach.
Picken graduated from the Stamford High School Special Education Program, following which she attended both ARI and Easter Seal Rehab Center of Stamford.
Upon relocating to Vero Beach she enjoyed attending the Adult Day Program operated by Abilities Resource Center of Indian River County. It was there that she received vocational training, cooking classes and more, and made many lasting friendships.
Eventually she was pleased to become a resident of ARC’s Millennium House where she lived during her last 14 years. Her housemates Mary, Karen, and Monique became her “sisters,” and they and their caregivers became her second family.
Picken enjoyed attending the Aktion Club Snoflake Ball every December as well as their parties on every holiday. She loved to swim and looked forward to her tri-weekly outings with her best friend Sue Marshall who took her to the pool, or for walks in the park, or shopping.
Marshall was her mentor and will be remembered as Picken’s favorite companion with whom to laugh and be silly and just have fun. Marshall was an important part of Picken’s life for 19 years and will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Picken family.
Picken was blessed to have family friends who knew her all of her life and embraced her candor, her unique sense of humor, her direct honesty and amazing memory, and were intrigued with her ability to solve puzzles and to beat everyone at checkers.
Everyone applauded Picken’s ability to live on her own for a few years for which she gained such a sense of real accomplishment and pride. This, her greatest achievement, exceeded any and all expectations.
Picken adored her younger brothers, deeply loved her parents and all her family, and was surrounded by their love every day of her life. She was blessed to have kind and capable caregivers in Millennium House and at her Adult Day Program where they loved her, provided her a safe environment, and met her many ever-changing needs, and for this the family is very grateful.
The Picken family expresses overwhelming gratitude to Dr. Kenneth Director, MD, Dr. George Duval, MD, to all the employees and administrators of ARC (now known as SunUpARC), to Director of SunUpARC Charles Bradley, and to her Primary Care Physician Dr. Leonardo Mandina, MD who cared for Picken for many years, met her in the ER numerous times at any hour of night, and oversaw and managed her many medical challenges with expertise and tremendous compassion.
A casual memorial gathering in celebration of Picken’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at SunUp Center, 2455 5th St. SW, Vero Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to SunUpARC, 1375 16th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the care of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach and online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.