Georgia Lea Pickert Gorham, 73, passed away from cancer Friday, March 7, 2014 in Maitland, Florida surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Gertrude and Irvan Pickert and was married 53 years to her husband, Richard.
Georgia was first and foremost a homemaker, mother and grandmother. Georgia attended Catholic schools, then married her high school sweetheart, Dick, who was in the Army. The Gorham family lived in different states before ending up in Italy with their newborn daughter, Laura. They lived in Italy for three years during which time daughter Julia was born. Georgia loved the language and the culture. They moved back to Evanston, Il where they lived for eight years, close to both their parents. They finally settled in Florida where they lived for 22 years before retiring to North Carolina.
Georgia was a textile artist who developed a successful wholesale needlework business and was the author of several needlework books which are still in publication today. Her love and talent for quilting began in the last 14 years.
Georgia is survived by her husband Dick of Maggie Valley; two daughters, Laura Shepherd of Clyde (husband Scott and children Tessa and Shaw), daughter Julia Mulligan of Maitland, Florida (children Patrick and Maura), one sister, Jeanne Warth of Evanston, Il. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 18, at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Maggie Valley, NC. Following will be a reception at the parish center.
Donations in remembrance may be made to REACH of Haywood County, PO Box 206, Waynesville, NC 28786.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL 32751 (407) 695 CARE (2273).