Dorothy Grace Pickenpaugh, age 88, of Gahanna, Ohio, died February 2, 2023, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital in Columbus. She was born August 12, 1934, to the late Carl H. and Dorothy B. Pickenpaugh. Known to her family as “Grace” and to her friends as “Dottie”, she spent her early years in Caldwell. Later, she accompanied her mother to various locations, including Miami, Florida, while her father served in the United States Navy during World War II. In 1946, her family moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where she graduated from Balboa High School in 1953. She attended the University of Miami for a year before she returned to the Canal Zone and began a career with the federal government. In 1963, she transferred to Detroit, Michigan, followed shortly thereafter to Columbus, Ohio. Grace spent over 30 years with the Defense Construction Supply Center and retired as a Supervisory Contract Specialist. She was active in One Church of Gahanna and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. Her long-time hobby was quilting, and she gave many beautiful quilts to her family, friends, and to charity. She enjoyed traveling, from day trips to long excursions with family and friends. Grace was a loving daughter who helped her mother immeasurably in the care of her father during his last months. Later, she provided help and assistance to her mother when she became vision impaired. Grace always cared for her brother and his family, remembering anniversaries and birthdays throughout the years. She loved her family and stayed in touch with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her brother, Gary Pickenpaugh of Stafford, Virginia; a niece, Carissa (Myles) Fisher of Bluffton, South Carolina; and three nephews, Gavin (Sarah) Pickenpaugh of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and their children, Lucy and Henry, Garrett (Katherine) Pickenpaugh of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Cliff (Tricia) Pickenpaugh of Stafford, Virginia.
A graveside service will be observed Monday, February 13, 2023, at 1PM at Sharon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to your church or a charity of one’s choice in Grace’s memory. Grace’s family would like to extend a special thanks to her Carla Tatum, her close friend she met while attending One Church. Carla helped Grace cope with limited vision and mobility on many occasions. She was always there for Grace and the family is very grateful. McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, Ohio, is caring for the family.
