Her parents, John R. and Marion T. (Gralenski) Goodhind, proudly welcomed their daughter into the world on October 3, 1939 in Northampton, Mass.
Kitty grew up in Amherst, Mass. and was a 1957 graduate of Amherst Regional High School. She attended Western Massachusetts Hospital School for Practical Nurses, graduating in 1959 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She continued to quench her thirst for learning, attending Greenfield Community College, as well as completing courses in crisis intervention; CPR, basic cardiac life support and pharmacology.
A person with a huge heart, Kitty loved caring for people of all ages. Her work career found her caring for others as an obstetrical nurse with Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton; as a staff nurse with the University of Massachusetts; as an office nurse with the Fairbanks (Alaska) Drug Treatment Center; and perhaps her most favorite job, that of a nurse in the orthopedic department at the Keene Clinic for 27 years.
Kitty and her husband, Roger, built their own home in Richmond in 1984. There she enjoyed being active in the town, participating on the Richmond Recue, the Richmond Historical Society, as well as the Richmond exercise group. Her homestead gave Kitty great solace, enjoying the many walks on the trails in the woods surrounding her home.
A breast cancer survivor, Kitty recognized the value of the simple things in life. She was a selfless woman, caring more about others than herself. She saw the good in everyone and was always willing to help others with her huge, kind heart. Family meant the world to her and her grandchildren reflected that she was like a mother to them, helping to shape their individual lives.
Kitty also enjoyed gardening, spending quality time with her family, dancing with her companion, traveling, and had a passion for digging up and collecting antique bottles.
She will be greatly missed by many, especially her children, James R. Picotte of Dublin, NH and Michele Kelly of Keene; two grandchildren, Samantha N. Kelly of Rindge, NH and Dylan J. Smith of Keene; two great-grandchildren, Aaliyah M. Baldinelli and Jaiden R.S. Baldinelli; two sisters, Barbara Stockwell and her husband, Tom, of Pelham, MA and Terry Goodhind of Belchertown, MA; a son-in-law, Robert C. Kelly of Richmond; her companion, Brad Pratt of Stoddard, NH; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Roger A. Picotte on February 12, 2004; a great-grandson, Kahlan R.S. Baldinelli; and a brother, Michael John Goodhind.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 2:00PM in the Next Level Church, 570 Park Avenue, Keene. Rev. Corey Graves will officiate. Burial will be in the spring in the Mountain View Cemetery, Swanzey.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Picotte’s memory to the Castle Center, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431-0564; or to the Kingsbury Center for Cancer Care, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431; or to your local Relay for Life Event.
