Cora M. Picken

Cora Eileen MacLean Picken passed away in her home Friday, April 18, just seven days shy of her 90th birthday. She was born April 25, 1924 to John and Ella MacLean in Tonasket, WA. Her parents had immigrated from Nova Scotia to operate a creamery in Tonasket. Cora completed her first 5 grades of school in Enterprise, WA., then attended school in Tonasket. She always remembered how happy her family was to finally have electricity and running water when they relocated in town! Cora graduated from Tonasket High School and then attended Kinman Business University in Spokane. While attending college, she found her passion for bookkeeping. Cora was actively involved in bookkeeping and accounting for the family orchard until just minutes before her passing. On March 12, 1945 Cora married John W. Picken, her high school sweetheart. World War II was ending and John was being mustered out of the Army Air Corp in Fort Worth, Texas. Cora received a telegram proposal, packed up her sister’s wedding dress, and took the train to marry John in Texas. They first settled in Coulee Dam where they were blessed with a son (John) and daughter (Joan). While living there, Cora worked in the payroll department for the Grand Coulee Dam construction. She and John were always very proud to have been a part of such a historic project. The family moved to the Bridgeport Bar where they were blessed with their third child (Jeanie). It was here that John and Cora planted their first orchard. In 1966, the family moved to Manson, WA, where they planted an orchard on the shores of Lake Chelan. Cora loved the apple business, especially harvest, when she checked and tagged all the bins. She will be remembered by all the apple pickers for her encouraging and cautious reminder of “Easy! Easy!” Cora was a loving, caring, and generous woman who was truly part of the “greatest generation”. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. She and John were the perfect team throughout 58 years of marriage. They worked very hard, taking on many projects, but they always found the time for family, fun, and adventure. Cora and John travelled the world, making friends everywhere. Cora was preceded in death by her husband John, and son John Robert. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father, sister Agnes Grimes, and brothers Bill MacLean and Jack MacLean. Cora is survived by her brother Bert MacLean of Spokane, sister Betty Koontz of Orange Park, Florida, daughter Joan Smith (Sam) of Yakimna, daughter Jeanie Craft (Gregg) of Manson, daughter-in-law Cheryl Picken of Sarasota, Florida, and grandchildren Lora Sluder, Sean Smith, and Amanda Picken. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren. There will be a service announcement at a later date. Services are under the direction of Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan. Please share your thoughts and memories of Cora on our website: www.prechtorse.com.

Tributes

Cora M. Picken

April 25, 1924 - April 18, 2014