Miriam G. Pickles

Miriam G. Pickles (nee Martin), age 93 of King of Prussia, PA, passed away on May 21, 2025. Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the beloved daughter of the late Charles F. and Edythe (nee Mummery) Martin.

Miriam was the devoted wife of the late Robert David Pickles; loving mother of Gloria Carfrey (Joe) and Linda Pickles-Ryan (Tim); adoring grandmother of Joseph R. (Michelle) and Jennifer Carfrey; caring great-grandmother of Nora Carfrey. Predeceased by her siblings, Charles Allen Martin, Joan Eleanor Mower, and Jean Von.

“Don’t be a grandma, be a mimi”. The magnet on my Mimi’s refrigerator reminds me of how much our Mimi meant to us. She left an impression on everyone she met, and she was more than just a grandma in all the hearts she touched.

My older brother, Joey, named her Mimi. He was learning to talk, but he couldn’t say grammy. They shared their birthdays in September, and we would celebrate them together each year.

When my Mom was still working, Mimi would take care of my older brother. She doted on Joey’s dimples, and would twirl the curled hair on the back of his neck. Later on, my brother would tap Mimi’s “poofy hair” because her perm was so fluffy!

One year, when Joey was still an infant, a tornado came through Mimi and Poppop’s backyard. Mimi stayed in the middle of the living room, and kept Joey safe until Poppop came home. The roof of the back patio came down, but Mimi and Joey remained safe inside of the house.

On my second birthday, Mimi and Poppop gave me Special. He was a stuffed dog that I still hold onto today. Mimi sometimes pushed me on the swing with Special, and she also sewed a hole on his back for me.

When we were young, Mimi would take me and Joey for walks around the block. Sometimes she would pull us in a red wagon. She took us to Mrs. Volpi’s house, and we would feed the fish over the bridge nearby. She would also watch us ride our tricycles on the back patio.

Some of Mimi’s favorite TV shows were the Lone Ranger, Walker Texas Ranger, Zorro, Soap Operas, and Nascar. She also enjoyed watching the Eagles and The Phillies, but Soap Operas were her favorite. The one she liked the most was the Young and the Restless, but she also enjoyed the Guiding Light. Joey and I would know that it was “tapey time” after The Guiding Light. That meant we could watch a video when all of her favorite soaps ended for the day. Sometimes she would also play Hi-Ho Cherry-O and card games, such as Rummy or Go Fish . Then when “tapey time” was over, and it was time to go home, Mimi would make a “goodie bag” with all of our favorite treats.

Mimi also enjoyed going to the “Little Zoo”. She loved looking at all the animals and watching us ride the ponies there. In the summer, she would set the sprinkler outside for us. We would also play with wooden airplanes or roll down the hill. Then we would stay overnight at her house, and watch Disney movies downstairs together. The next day, she would wait for Poppop to bring us home from Merry Mead Farms, and we would start a parcheesi tournament. She always played as the yellow pawns, and didn’t enjoy sending players back to the start.

Every mother’s day was important for Mimi, and my mom. Joey and I would sometimes pick pink flowers for them. As we grew older, we would all eat dinner at the Outback together. Mimi’s favorite drink was a strawberry daiquiri, and she also enjoyed onion rings. After dinner we would sit outside on the back patio. Mimi would sometimes play catch, but if she was too cold she would go back inside and listen to music. Mimi enjoyed Elvis and Country Music, but she mainly enjoyed music she could sing or dance to.

We had so many years together, and we will never forget Mimi who brought so much joy into our lives. She loved her family, and cherished her grandchildren. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, and will be remembered for her sweet, gentle, and caring ways.

Family and friends are invited to Miriam’s Viewing 10:00-11:30 AM on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 West Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA 19087, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:30 AM. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Montgomery County SPCA, 19 E. Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA 19428, montgomerycountyspca.org, would be appreciated.