Jodi Anne Pickett

Jodi Anne Pickett died peacefully at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in the presence of family on May 9, 2020, sixteen days after her 62nd birthday. Her health challenges had been mounting for years, beginning with diabetes and culminating with renal failure. Nonetheless, she would tell you that she lived a rich and rewarding life, full of many blessings and wonderful family, friends and students.

Jodi’s life was centered by her Christian faith, a love of music and a deep desire to share both.

Following in the steps of her grandmother, Alta Simmons, Jodi pursued teaching as her career and as an outlet to share her love of music with children. She spent thirty-four years teaching approximately 10,000 elementary students about music theory, composers, instruments, and other music curriculum. She also had the pleasure of teaching Choir and grade level sing-alongs every year. Some of her fondest memories of Choir were taking the students out into malls and senior living centers for concerts at Christmas.

It is not known the amount of students she impacted that in turn pursued music as a career for themselves, but there are certainly many who can recall how she helped guide them into their later life paths.

While she loved teaching and her students, they always came second to her husband and children. Jodi loved to attend her kids' sporting events and was always heard whistling and yelling cheers during games. She was always encouraging and pushing her kids toward their dreams, success and happiness.

Jodi and Tom were the kind of love story you hear in the hallmark movies. They met in junior high and were good friends through high school, but they did not talk during the years Jodi attended Pacific Lutheran University. Until… one day, while assembling staff for a Sr. High church camp, Tom was prompted to invite Jodi to join the team as worship leader. Jodi always said that he called her on Valentine’s Day in 1981. Tom had no idea. They were engaged at Easter, and married by Christmas 1981. No marriage is perfect, but through the ups and downs, they relied on their love of Christ and their love for each other to keep them going for 38 1/2 years.

In the fall of 2017, Jodi retired (very reluctantly!) on disability, after a 30 year battle with diabetes, and 8 years on dialysis - her body had finally had enough of the fight. Her last comment was “I’m Going to my Glory Home” after which she faded, and was gone. She left peacefully, with her family at her side.

She had many personal Bible Verses, but always strived to be an example of 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."

Jodi is survived by her father Clair, husband Tom, sister Lori (& Steve), sons Jon (& Alyssa), Ryan (& Kaycee), daughter Stefani (& Barret) and grandchildren Brock, Jemma, and Clair.

As we, that have been “Left Behind”, continue to remember the Impact that Our beloved Jodi had on each of our own lives, and continue live looking forward, seeking God’s Purpose in our continuing Life story that he has been writing for each one of us.

And for just one last time, Jodi would want you all to know that she loved each and every one of you!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Pickett family.