McWilliams-Pickrell, Janice

89 of Phoenix, passed away on September 15, 2017. Our beautiful mother, Janice O. McWilliams, left this life in the early morning hours of September 15, 2017 only hours after learning that she was made a greatgrandmother for the fourth time. She was joyous with the news. Her family finds poetry in God’s timing of her passing. Janice was born to Jules and Elizabeth (Hayden) Olivier in Grosse Pointe, MI on April 9, 1928. She was the oldest of three children. She is preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Donald and Richard Olivier. Jan attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grosse Point Farms and later attended the University of Michigan where she earned a degree in Speech Pathology. Janice was active in the Alpha Phi sorority when she met and fell in love with Thomas P. McWilliams, M.D. Jan and Tom were married July, 8 1950 and together they raised six children before his untimely death in 1975. Jan led a very active life participating in the Sacred Heart Alumni Association, Phoenix Country Club golf team, a successful real estate career with Russ Lyon Realty and her beloved bridge games. Jan later remarried Charles U. Pickrell in 1987. Together they traveled extensively and they shared many happy moments. Charles passed away in 2005. Janice is survived by her children, Michael (Margaret), Kathleen, Stephen, Jan Dupuy and Tom. Her precious daughter Molly died in 2001. Jan leaves behind nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Janice loved each new addition to her family and took great joy in being the matriarch of her loving family. Jan will also be remembered for her deep love for animals of all stripes. At one point the household menagerie was comprised of three dogs, a cat, a bird, and a nearly domesticated spider monkey (Filbert) whom she cared for as her seventh child. But most of all she will be remembered for her kind heart, her wonderful laugh, her great sense of humor, and her boundless love for her ever-growing family. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 20th at St. Francis Xavier Church at 4715 N. Central Ave in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers please send donations to M.D. Anderson Breast Cancer Research Fund at P.O. Box

4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. Our mother’s wish has long been that a cure for breast cancer be found.