Obituaries: February 2026
Jean L. (Kennedy) Picking
December 24, 1937-January 27, 2026
Jean L. Picking, age 88, of West Olive, passed away at home on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
She was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1937, in Freeport, Illinois, to the late Malcolm and Evelyn (Murray) Kennedy Sr. Jean married her high school sweetheart, Robert E. Picking, on June 25, 1960, in Freeport, Illinois. Together they shared 63 years of marriage until Robert's passing on September 11, 2023.
Jean graduated from Freeport High School and went on to Beloit College in Wisconsin, where she earned her bachelor's degree in education. Jean and Robert built a life together throughout the Midwest, living in Madison, Wisconsin; Davenport, Iowa; Grand Haven, Michigan; and Hastings, Michigan. Jean taught school in each of these communities, spending the majority of her career at Hastings Public Schools. There, she taught kindergarten at Central School for 20 years and became a beloved institution, touching the lives of more than 1,000 children.
Jean and Bob retired to West Olive, Michigan, where they embraced life on "The Lake." Jean loved walking and often joined neighbors for the cherished ritual of watching the Lake Michigan sunset. Always active, she enjoyed tennis, walking, traveling both domestically and internationally, and sharing her love of music — both in the classroom and by attending concerts.
Jean was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, where she served on the altar guild in the 1970s. She especially loved volunteering at the Pennock Hospital gift shop in Hastings. Jean enjoyed social gatherings and was a member of local book clubs, bridge clubs in both Hastings and Grand Haven, and the "Birthday Club" in Grand Haven. She was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, love of fun, gracious spirit, joyfulness, and her genuine, contagious smile.
Jean will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her son, David Picking of West Olive; her daughter, Susan Picking (Michael Wheeler) of Grand Haven; her grandchildren, Robert Picking II and Anne (Chris) Stephan, both of Ypsilanti, Michigan; and her sister and brother-in-law, Judie and Jerry Lang of Bloomington, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her brothers, Malcolm and Robert Kennedy.
A celebration of life for Jean will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. John's Episcopal Church, with Rev. Dr. Jared C. Cramer officiating. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hastings Education Enrichment Foundation Fund c/o Barry Community Foundation, 231 S. Broadway St., Hastings, MI, 49058.
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