Mary Elizabeth Pickard joined her heavenly Father on Aug. 27, 2015, in San Antonio after a brave battle with breast cancer. A devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, cherished aunt and true friend to many, she lived her 74 years with a special combination of strength and grace.

Mary is the youngest of five children born to Emma and Cody Schreiber of San Antonio. After graduating from Thomas Edison High School in 1958, she studied English at Southwest Texas State Teachers College before meeting Robert Allen Pickard, the great love of her life. From that day forward, she dedicated her life and energy to her husband and their three children.

They married on Aug. 13, 1960, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, and then moved to College Station for Bob’s Texas A&M education. Although not a graduate, Mary is as much a Texas Aggie as any former student. From the day each was born until her final breath, Mary gave her three children gentle guidance and unconditional love, ensuring that they grew into responsible adults in a safe, loving home full of laughter and joy, and with an understanding of the importance of family, faith and integrity. Although her focus was always on Bob and the kids, she held part-time jobs and gave time to charitable causes, including the Junior League of San Antonio.

During their 10 years living in La Canada, California, she added more dear friends, enjoyed the tennis league at La Canada Flintridge Country Club and volunteered with the Assistance League of Flintridge. She made the most of her West Coast experience, but longed to move back home to be near her mother and children.

Mary was a writer and artist who left us thoughtful hand-written journals and beautiful works created with oils, water colors and her iPad stylus. During her many travels with Bob, she undoubtedly left her ocean spirit on the beaches she loved most in Maui, Hawaii, and Port Aransas, Texas. Many will miss her infectious laugh and delicate words of wisdom.

Mary is survived by:

* Her husband and soulmate of 55 years, Bob Pickard
* Daughter Sharon Wood and son-in-law Jim Wood
* Son Darrell Pickard
* Daughter Sondra White and son-in-law Sam White 
* Four grandsons: Travis Edlund and his wife, Katherine; Grant Edlund and Graciela Rivera; Quentin White and Royce Wood
* And many nieces and nephews: Michael and Pam Wood; Gayle and Lew Colborne; Nancy and Alan Standlee; Rosanne and Mike Keathley; Kevin Schreiber; Jennifer and Mark Peterson; Julie and James Bush; Helen Schreiber; Elizabeth Schreiber; Gregory and Brenda Stappenbeck; Stephen Stappenbeck and Cindy Corkill; Joe and Jan Pickard; John and Diane Pickard; Jean and Jeff Carter; Janet Bausch; Joy and Mark Crowl.  

In heaven she joins beloved family members:

* Parents, Emma and Cody Schreiber
* Sister and brother-in-law Marge and Buzz Wood
* Brother Charles Schrieber
* Brother and sister-in-law Fred and Billie Schreiber
* Brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Suzanne Schreiber
* Nieces Terry Wood Burklow, Karen Schreiber and Audrey Stappenbeck
* Sister- and brother-in-law Barbara and Herb Stappenbeck
* Brother-in-law Billy Pickard

Rest in peace, Sweet Mary.