Gladys Ann Picha passed away March 9, 2024. She was born May 2, 1937 to Louis and Christine Pustejovsky in Abbott, TX. While attending school there, she established close friendships that have lasted for over 80 years. She was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization and a lifetime member of KJZT Catholic Women’s Union of Texas. After graduating as Valedictorian in 1955, she started working at the 1st National Bank on the first floor of the Alica building in Waco. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was an active volunteer for many years.
While in high school, she met George who presented her with an engagement ring upon her graduation. The couple was married at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Abbott on October 26, 1957. While raising their family, Gladys was an involved parent; homeroom mom, PTA and band booster member, and a cheerleader for the various sports her kids were involved in.
Gladys was a talented seamstress. When in school, she often designed many of her own clothes and continued to sew for the family for many years. She had a gift for making the best flaky crust pies and banana bread, which will definitely be missed! Gardening became a passion after she joined the Herb Society and she took great pride in her flower and herb gardens. She and George often traveled with the Herb Society to garden related places. She would work in her garden with her portable radio while listening to Rush Limbaugh. She loved repotting cuttings and would sell them at the Arboretum, along with George’s homemade bird houses.
After George retired, they traveled with friends to various places around the country. She enjoyed loading up their car with the purchases she found along the way. They traveled often to watch their grandchildren participate in various sporting activities.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Christine Pustejovsky; daughter Mary, son, Donald; and son-in-law, Jay.
She is survived by her husband, George Picha of Waco; daughter, Janet Harris of Waco; son, David Picha and wife Danell of Stephenville; son, Dale Picha and wife Tracy of San Antonio; daughter, Julie Lyons and husband Paul of Richardson; sisters, Joyce Lenart and husband Jody of Abbott, Carol Keating and husband Jerry of Kyle, and Betty White and husband Ken of Round Rock; grandchildren, Brad Picha and wife Lauren of Waxahachie, Brian Picha and wife Tara of Georgetown, Hillary Harris of Austin, Josh Harris of Austin, Mary Harris of Waco, Sarah Lyons of Richardson, Thomas Lyons of Richardson and Louise Picha of San Antonio; great grandchildren, Aspyn and Oaklee Picha of Waxahachie and Riley Picha of Georgetown.
VISITATION: 6pm to 8pm Friday, March 15th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend, Waco
ROSARY: 7pm Friday, March 15th at Lake Shore Funeral Home
MASS: 11am Saturday, March 16th at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1401 Washington Ave, Waco
INTERMENT: Oakwood Cemetery
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her name to the Memorial Garden at St Mary Church of the Assumption (1401 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701).
Print Obituary & Condolences
I’m so very sorry for your loss!
My sincere condolences to you, Mr. Picha and your family. I have been a part of life with your family over 50 years. I have treasured the times I have visited with Mrs. Picha. At times, she treated me like her own, always hugging me and telling me she loved me, as I returned the gestures. We would exchange prayers for each other. I will always have good memories of her kind and loving friendship. I know she is rejoicing with family and friends. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time. Love, Cheryl Teague
Most sincere condolences to Mrs Picha’s Husband George, the kids, grandchildren and all that loved her. Gladys was always ready to greet with a warm and kind smile. May she rest in eternal peace in our Fathers kingdom. Peace be with you through this difficult time.
I first met Sweet Gladys when John had the little house down here; before it was moved to the top of the hill. John had just had his eye removed, Rasie had passed, and John bought a new love seat, and a new fridge. Now John couldn’t lift ANYTHING, so Jean enlisted the uncles to help unload the new items. The doorways of the little house were so small, the uncles had to remove the door frames to get things inside. Background done… of course being Pichas, everyone comes and it’s a party! When Gladys came in the front door she saw the big crucifix and my Virgin Mary statue on the mantle. She took my arm in that way she does and hugged me whispering “you’ve saved him, I was worried he would always be a heathen “. And we became friends. Although, at family Christmas, when angels were in style, there was lots of stealing going on during the white elephant gift giving, John and George having to give up their turns in the fight for Gladys and myself to own the coveted gift. She was a kind, loving aunt, wife, and mother who loved her family and her God fiercely. I was proud to know her, and I will miss her terribly. The family will miss her presence and her joy, gatherings will not be the same without her.
I am very sorry George. Hearty condolences to you and your Children and their families.
Gladys: nice, gentle and kind person. Keep in my prayers. May her soul rest in peace.
Fr. Thomas.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the entire Picha family! 🙏. Darrell Floyd
Prayers are with the Picha family. I have very fond memories of Mrs. Picha. It is true that it takes a village to raise your kids and Mr and Mrs Picha were a great part of raising a great group of neighborhood kids. I had a great childhood playing daily with Donald, Dale and Julie and Mrs. Picha was a mom to all of us. I look forward to seeing Mrs. Picha in Heaven one day. Love, Mark Cooper
Condolences and prayers to Mr. Picha, the children and other members of the family. So sorry for the loss of Gladys. May she rest in peace. I have fond memories of Mrs. Picha since being in grade school with Julie. I remember her being a homeroom Mom and always being involved in her children’s sports and other activities. She and Mr Picha were always present at Julie’s ball games and other activities both in grade school and high school. They constantly were involved and showed support for their children. More recently, I enjoyed running into Mr. and Mrs. Picha at HEB, visiting with them and catching up on the latest news of the family. Gladys with be missed by so many. Love and prayers, Naomi (Reust) Grice
Condolences and prayers to the family. We have known the Pichas from the days our children went to St. Mary’s Catholic School.🙏
I met Gladys and George 29 years ago. My sister had passed away and I had gone to compassionate friends with my mother . This was a group for parents who lost a child. They had a tree with paper ornaments from other parents around the world. You were encouraged to take an ornament. I picked any old ornaments off the tree and it was Donald’s. The paper ornament told all about the child they had lost. We were in New Jersey. They were in Texas. Both Donald and Christine passed from falls. It was crazy to pick an ornament of someone who passed from a similar tragedy. I immediately wrote to them and told them that I picked their ornament. Thinking back they were the age I am now Gladys was approximately 56 and I was 26. They came to New Jersey and we took them to New York to sightsee. Gladys sent me letters with pictures of her entire family throughout the years. Sometimes she would email. I just looked back at an email from 2010 that she had sent me where we discussed me possibly coming to Waco. We lost touch at some point, but I did think about her often. I have kept every letter she has sent me and every picture.. Yesterday I was in Waco. I looked her up. I was so saddened to find out that I was two months late. She was a wonderful person. I did find her grave and said a prayer for her and Donald. May she rest in eternity.. please tell George I am so sorry.