Obituary of Anita Glenys Pickering

DEER ISLE - Anita Glenys Pickering,79, died unexpectedly July 29, 2013, in Bangor. A lifelong Deer Isle-Stonington resident, Anita was born June 2, 1934, daughter of Mary (Wallace) Cousins and Alston Wheelden. Anita attended school in Stonington and she graduated from Stonington High School in 1952 as co-valedictorian of her class. She and her soul mate, Archie Pickering Jr., were married in 1953. Anita and Archie began their family soon after getting married and eventually settled into the life of a lobster fishing family. She stayed at home knitting heads for Archie's traps, while he was on the bay fishing. Like many of her contemporaries, she worked at the sardine factory or at Crosier's picking out crabs and lobsters. On special evenings you could find them both at Reggie's Musitorium relaxing and dancing. In her spare time Anita was a den mother of the local Cub Scout Troop. In 1972 she graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with high distinction. She obtained her bachelor's degree in education, taking full time summer classes and evening classes during the rest of the year. This all while being a wife and mother of three boys. Her career as an elementary school teacher began in 1969 and ended with her retirement in 1989. Her boys benefited during her college years as everything she was learning was passed on to them in the form of geological study field trips or constantly being "educated" in the ways of proper grammar. She taught in the Brooklin school system for the majority of her teaching years and always enjoyed seeing "her fourth graders" after they had moved on and ventured out into the world. Anita loved the piano and played every day. She was often featured on the organ at church. She was blessed with many friends on the island and at her winter home in Brooksville, Fla. Anita and Archie enjoyed warm days and sunny skies together playing golf or visiting with friends during their "snowbird" months. Anita was very active in Eastern Star. She was a past grand representative and in 2010 was installed as worthy matron of Eastern Star, Harborview Chapter No. 136, Deer Isle. Anita lived for the many family celebrations over the course of a year with the highlight being the July birthday celebration for Archie that was overflowing with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Laughter, games, good food and stories kept a smile on her face long after the last good bye. Anita is survived by her husband of 60 years, Archie Pickering Jr.; mother, Mary Cousins of Deer Isle; brother, John Cousins Sr. of Newcastle; sister, Janice Cox of Brewer; three sons, Charles Pickering of Deer Isle, Stephen Pickering and wife, Betty, of Blue Hill, and David Pickering of East Stoneham; and grandsons, Thomas Pickering and wife, Jamie, of Lamoine, Christopher Pickering and wife, Samantha, of Brooklin and Andrew Pickering of Brooklin. She was blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Sara, Emma, Mara, Layla and Ridge of Lamoine, and Alexandra and Connor of Brooklin. She was also 'Aunt 'Nita' to many nieces and nephews. Anita was predeceased by her dad, C. Lawrence Cousins; sister, Judy Cousins Flaherty; and birth father, Alston Wheelden. Family and friends are invited to attend the service in remembrance of her wonderful life 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, 249 North Deer Isle Road, Deer Isle. The service will be conducted by Elder Dwight Staples. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anita's memory to Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, P.O. Box 652, Deer Isle, ME 04627. - See more at: http://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituaries/bdnmaine/obituary.aspx?n=anita-glenys-pickering&pid=166156030#fbLoggedOut