Today, some may mourn what they consider a great loss. Instead we give God thanks, glory and honor for the great gift he gave us when Madeline Louise Dash Pickett, the eldest of two children was born to Rufus Laval Dash and Bertha Lou McKelvy Dash in Orangeburg, South Carolina on February 27, 1933.  She departed this life and went home to Glory on August 11, 2019.

Madeline's early years were spent growing up on her beloved Treadwell Street within a close-knit family environment that included not just her parents, but her beloved younger brother, the late Reginald Laval Dash, grandparents and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins who were always willing to lend a hand to one another whenever it was needed.

Madeline received her early education from the private boarding school Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina.  Upon graduation, she went on to attend West Virginia State College and later transferred to South Carolina State College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies.

While attending Mather Academy, Madeline met and later married her former husband the late John Pickett, Jr..  From this union came Madeline's beloved three children, Cheryl Lorraine Pickett-Hofler, Robyn Renee Pickett-Ford and Terrence Laval Pickett.

Madeline and John relocated to Brooklyn, New York and eventually settled with their children in Jamaica, New York.  While living in New York, Madeline embarked on a career as a history teacher within New York City's Board of Education.  She started teaching at Boys High School in Brooklyn and later transferred to spend the majority of her career at her beloved Eastern District High School in Williamsburg, New York.  Madeline tirelessly poured in to the students and was affectionately called "Wicked Pickett" by them. While teaching, she earned a Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling from Long Island University.  Madeline retired after 32 years from Eastern District High School as the Head of the Guidance Department.

Madeline was a resident of Rochdale Village Cooperative for over fifty years and is recognized as a Charter Member who was called "The Legend", because she was one of the few remaining "Original Rochdalers". Madeline was always on the go and actively involved in her community.  She was a long time member of the Rochdale Village Black Society, and served on the usher board at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church. Madeline's love of history inspired her to become actively involved in local and state politics as a member of the District Democratic Club and Community Board.  In addition, she served as a board of director for the local NORC Program for seniors.  Madeline was a go hard or go home member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She loved her pink and green, going to Regional Conferences and Boule's and chairing her Chapter's scholarship committee that awarded scores of students thousands of dollars for college over many years.

Madeline was a generous and giving woman that always had a warm smile and a kind word for those who crossed her path, and was a good friend to those who she befriended.  She will always be remembered as the best mother in the world and most outstanding grandmother to her beloved children and grandchildren.

Madeline was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother.

She leaves to not mourn, but to cherish her memory her beloved daughters: Cheryl and Robyn and beloved son, Terrence; and the pride and joys of her life, her grandchildren, Perryn Ryan Ford and Marshall Catlin Ford and is survived by her Son-In-Law, Ricardo Hofler and a host of aunts, cousins and dear friends.