Vera Small-Picard

Vera G. Picard was born September 2, 1916 in Whig Hill, Pa. to George Tobey and Essie Mae Starkey Tobey. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Hubbard, Ohio where her father began working with Union Wholesale Lumber Co. in Youngstown, Ohio. Vera attended schools in Hubbard at Hubbard Elementary and Hubbard High School where she was active in sports and a member of the Glee Club. At the age of ten Vera began pursuing her favorite hobby and took piano lessons. She continued to play the piano and organ most all her life playing in church as well as for enjoyment of family and friends. In 1935 Vera met and fell in love with Gilpin Small and they were married shortly thereafter. They had 8 children, 4 sons: Wade, Don, Tom & Danny and 4 daughters: Jane, Beverly, Donna & Barbara. She was also a foster parent to 4 children. In 1964 Vera and Gilpin moved their family to Azuza, Ca. After raising their children, Vera decided to go back to school. She went to real estate school and then decided to pursue a career in business and chose Chaffey College where she also worked as a counselor in job placement services office. In 1979 Vera and Gilpin moved to Fontana, Ca and together they had a very successful worm ranch and decided to retire from Ewbanks Engineering Co. to Salome, Arizona. Retirement was not eventful enough for the two, and so the started a family owned satellite company. In July on 1987 Gilpin passed away and Vera closed the business. In 1991 Vera met a wonderful companion in Salome, Az named Curtis Picard, who was originally from Colorado. They shared traveling and oil painting a long with many other hobbies together. Curtis later passed after they had celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary. Vera would spend winters at her home in Salome and most summers with her daughter, Barbara Seidita and husband Frank in New Middletown, Ohio and sister Bea and husband Vince Ilovisky in Youngstown, Ohio. Vera was a very kind and giving person and would say "Always help people who need help and be kind and trusting to others".