Athena Moskovis Pickett

Athena Pickett was born in Massachusetts on May 18, 1947. She is the youngest daughter of Lania and Peter Moskovis, the fourth of five children. She has one surviving sister Stella Kazantzas and two surviving in-laws, Ana Moskovis and Cathy Moskovis. Athena married James William Pickett on October 3, 1964 at the age of 17. Unfortunately, because of the times, this meant she had to leave school, but it kept Jim from being drafted which she always felt saved his life and their love. She and Jim worked hard to forge a life for themselves. Both were happy, family centric, and successful entrepreneurs. Since they married young, both Athena and Jim had to make sacrifices which were difficult. They left their home of Massachusetts to promotion to Connecticut, then New York then south to Georgia. Athena always said every time her husband was promoted, they would have to uproot the family seizing the opportunity to do better financially and grow as a family. In 1977, they moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia and she declared that Georgia would be her last home as she loved the sunny spring and fall but mostly the hot summers and mild winters. Here they built their family and community of friends. They had two children James in 1969, Dorothea in 1966 and Vincent Westin who married Dorothea in 1992 to become her third child. She was proud and grateful for all her children and grandchildren. She was a cheerleader for her grandchildren Rebecca (Beca) and James (JP). She always said they gave her extra years because she never wanted to leave them. Athena took care to nurture their special gifts, supporting Beca in her art and educational aspirations and JP in his culinary endeavors as well as musical pursuits. She spent many weekends cooking their favorite foods, watching old movies and playing make believe. She often expressed gratitude for these times saying that being with her grandchildren made her feel like a child herself when enjoying their world from their perspective. Although Athena never finished high school, she rose through retail ranks managing Cove Gallery from 1978 until 1984 then ventured out on her own to create a successful Art Gallery from 1987 to 1995. The gallery was aptly called Athena’s Gallery. She only closed the Gallery after having complications with surgery that lead to her lifelong battle with Lymphedema. Throughout Athena’s life she found time to volunteer with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and children’s reading programs. She was an amazing home cook. She was proud of always having enough to share with others. She was an artist at heart. Her art knew no bounds as she made wreaths, glass paintings, sketches, knitted, created porcelain dolls, cake decorating, and so many child craft projects that her family stopped counting. There will be a visitation or celebration of her life at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home on 180 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30060 on Wednesday, November 30th from 6 pm to 8 pm. A church Memorial Services will be held the following day at the Greek Orthodox Church, Holy Transfiguration, 3431 Trickum Road, Marietta, Ga 30066, at 11 am with a private family funeral precession to Greenlawn Cemetery where her body will be interred. Immediately, following the interment there will be an open reception for friends and family at the home of Dorothea and Vince Westin beginning at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to Lighthouse Lymphedema, an organization dedicated to shedding light on Lymphedema, helping those who need information on the disease and treatment. There is still so much to learn about fighting this insidious disease. https://lighthouselymphedema.org/home/

Athena Moskovis Pickett

May 18, 1947 - November 19, 2022