Kathleen Mary McNeil-Pickens
Kathleen Mary McNeil- Pickens, beloved mother to 3 children and their spouses, Christopher (and Michelle), Raffianne (and Shane) and Kathryn (and Adam), grandmother to Josh, Haley, Mason, Charlotte, Jack, Marlee, Morgan, Maggie, and Maddox and wife of Jerry Lee Pickens, peacefully transitioned to heaven in her home in Buellton, Ca. on 16 April, 2025.
Kathleen or “Kak” known by her closest family and friends was born in San Diego, Ca in 1952 to Harold “Pete” McNeil and Mary Kathryn McNeil, as the first of eight children Kathy was a loving and wonderful big sister to Michael, Molly, Patrick, Casey, Christina, Sheila and Mary McNeil. From early childhood she was always taking care of others. Always ahead of her time, she graduated at the age of 16 from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, Ca. She had the most engaging and wonderful smile and the best sense of humor and she made everyone she encountered feel special and like they were part of the family. Her life could be characterized by her love and care for everyone she encountered. Kathy had an amazing love of life, she was an artist and a consummate foodie. She became an amazing self-taught chef “probably from years of cooking for such a large family” and shared this love of cooking and feeding people not only with her family but the junior high children and teachers of Santa’s Barbara as the head chef and Kitchen Manager for La Colina Junior High School for over 30 years. She was an innovator in healthy school lunches, always cooking meals from fresh ingredients, partnering with organic farms and teaching her students to cook healthy meals themselves. She led her team in the kitchen the way that she did everything else in life “by example” as a servant leader. Throughout her life, she spent all of her time, talents and treasure for her children and family and everyone around her to make sure everyone was fed physically and spiritually. She loved like no other, could laugh like no other, and was always up for an adventure. She truly did try to make everyday special, beautiful and meaningful for her family and friends.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Mary, her brother Casey and is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Jerry, children, Christopher (Michelle), Raffianne (Shane), Kathryn (Adam), grandchildren Josh, Haley, Mason, Charlotte, Jack, Marlee, Morgan, Maggie and Maddox, siblings, Michael, Molly, Patrick, Christina, Sheila, and Mary and many nieces and nephews who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.
A celebration of life will be held July 19th at 12:00 at Santa Inés Mission. Flowers can be sent to the mission Santa Inés 1760 Mission Dr Solvang, CA 93463 on 19 July for the celebration of life. A reception will follow.
