Mary-Bye Pickering, 80

Mary-Bye Pickering passed away on Oct. 6, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. But that is not the important date to remember. The most important one is the day Mary-Bye was born on May 20, 1941. As she liked to tell us … she was born in an elevator going up in Rising Sun, Maryland. She brought joy, happiness and light to everyone that she came into contact with.

Mary-Bye was preceded in death by her parents Hiram and Margaret Driggs.

She is survived by her two daughters, Whitney Normile and Ashley Pickering, as well as Whitney’s husband Patrick and their two children Micah and Samantha, and Ashley’s partner Scott Thompson. Mary-Bye also leaves behind her two brothers, Wally Driggs and wife JoAnn, and Skip Driggs and wife Pam and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and family that loved her.

Mary-Bye was raised in Maryland and graduated from Ramapo High School (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) in 1959. She went on to finishing school at St. Mary’s Seminary Junior College (St. Mary’s City, Maryland, 1960-’61) and then received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Maryland General Hospital in 1963. After moving back to Maryland she met John Wayne Pickering in 1968 at the Conowingo Inn. They were married on Dec. 20th of 1969 and remained married for 20 years. She settled in Kalispell in August of 1981.

Mary-Bye always had a smile for everyone. She lived life with enjoyment and willingness to serve others. Mary-Bye loved her church family and dedicated many years to teaching, singing, and serving her Lord and Savior. She was also extremely involved in her community, serving as executive officer of the Flathead Building Association for many years. She was extremely dedicated to the valley and enjoyed the opportunity she had to advance the interests of the building industry and Montanans everywhere. Upon retirement in 2003, Mary-Bye moved to Seattle to be close to her grandchildren. She was greatly loved by everyone who knew her.

Her celebration of life will be 1 p.m. today, Saturday, Nov. 20, at Christ Episcopal Church in Kalispell. A reception will follow at Buffalo Hill Golf Course at 2 pm.