Kim Charisse Picken, 51, passed away after a long illness on Friday, May 30, 2014 in Vero Beach, FL. She was born on Warner Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, GA and resided in Stamford, CT for 25 years before moving in 1991 to Vero Beach, FL.
She is survived by her devoted parents William R. and Christine A. Picken, Vero Beach, FL; brothers Todd Picken (Jennifer), Weatogue, CT; Mace Picken (Raquel), Grant City, MO; nephews Garett and Alexander Picken, Weatogue,CT; niece Samantha Charisse Picken, Grant City, MO; grandmother Annie B. Bilodeau, Vero Beach, FL; uncle Gregory C. Picken (Holly), Palm Gardens, FL; aunt Barbara W. Kelly, Brentwood, TN; great-aunt Bertha St. Arnauld, Ashland, NH, and numerous cousins.
She graduated from the Stamford High School Special Education Program, following which she attended both ARI and Easter Seal Rehab Center of Stamford. Upon relocating to Vero Beach she enjoyed attending the Adult Day Program operated by Abilities Resource Center of Indian River County. It was there that she received vocational training, cooking classes etc. and made many lasting friendships. Eventually she was pleased to become a resident of ARC's Millennium House where she lived during her last 14 years. Her housemates Mary, Karen, and Monique became her "sisters", and they and their caregivers became her second family.
Kim enjoyed attending the Aktion Club Snoflake Ball every December as well as their parties on every holiday. She loved to swim and looked forward to her tri-weekly outings with her best friend Sue Marshall who took her to the pool, or for walks in the park, shopping, etc. Sue was her mentor and will be remembered as Kim's favorite companion with whom to laugh and be silly and just have fun. Sue was an important part of Kim's life for 19 years and will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Picken family.
Kim was blessed to have family friends who knew her all of her life and embraced her candor, her unique sense of humor, her direct honesty and amazing memory, and were intrigued with her ability to solve puzzles and to beat everyone at checkers. Everyone applauded Kim's ability to live on her own for a few years for which she gained such a sense of real accomplishment and pride. This, her greatest achievement, exceeded any and all expectations.
Kim adored her younger brothers, deeply loved her parents and all her family, and was surrounded by their love every day of her life. She was blessed to have kind and capable caregivers in Millennium House and at her Adult Day Program where they loved her, provided her a safe environment, and met her many everchanging needs, and for this the family is very grateful.
The Picken family expresses overwhelming gratitude to Dr. Kenneth Director, MD, Dr. George Duval, MD, to all the employees and administrators of ARC (now known as SunUpARC), to Director of SunUpARC Charles Bradley, and to her Primary Care Physician Dr. Leonardo Mandina, MD who cared for Kim for many years, met Kim in the ER numerous times at any hour of night, and oversaw and managed her many medical challenges with expertise and tremendous compassion.
A casual memorial gathering in celebration of Kim's life will be held at 10:30am Wednesday, June 18 at SunUp Center, 2455 5th St. SW, Vero Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to SunUpARC, 1375 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the care of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach and online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.