Traci Lee Picknell

It is with tremendous love, so many wonderful memories, and the deepest sadness we share the passing of a beloved wife, mother (Momma), and grandmother (Nonny), Traci Picknell, on May 25, 2025, in Wellington, Florida. Traci was born on April 23, 1965, to Gary and Merrily Jones, in Toledo, Ohio. She grew up in West Toledo, and attended Westwood Elementary School, where she was always actively involved in school activities, youth football cheerleading, babysitting, spending time with her friends and summers with her family, at Deep Lake (MI). During Traci’s teen years, while attending Jefferson Junior High School, and Whitmer High School, Traci became very active in student council, social and academic school clubs, and spending time with her many friends. To Traci’s good friends, she was given the nickname “Bonz.” This nickname would follow Traci all the way through her years at Whitmer. After high school, Traci attended the University of Toledo, earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Traci always had a special love and fondness for the innocence of children, and her chosen field of study was perfect for exactly what she wanted to do, during her life. After graduating from The University of Toledo, Traci married her Junior High School, High School, and College sweetheart, Chris, in July 1987. After their wedding vows and a honeymoon in St. Thomas, Traci began her teaching career, at Woodmore Elementary School, in Woodville, Ohio. In March of 1989, there was a big change for Traci and Chris as they welcomed the arrival of their first baby girl, Tarah. With their new arrival, Traci made the decision to put her teaching career on hold to stay home to raise her daughter. In March of 1990, Traci and Chris welcomed the arrival of their baby boy, Anthony, and in July of 1994, the arrival of their 2nd baby girl, Kelsey. Traci’s decision to stay home to raise her children proved to be the perfect, loving choice for her family. Traci and family experienced two relocations during their early years: first from Ohio to Connecticut, then from Connecticut to Florida. As each of her children entered elementary school, Traci decided to follow her commitment to working with children. From 1999 – 2008, she worked as a Pre-K teacher at the Childhood Enrichment Center, at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, in Wellington, Florida. In 2008, Traci and family experienced another relocation from Florida to Southern California. Traci quickly reestablished herself in early childhood education in California, only to experience a prompt relocation back to Florida in 2010. Once back in Florida, Traci quickly returned and committed to her work at the Childhood Enrichment Center, from 2010 through 2024. In addition to her love and commitment to raising her children, being Nonny to her grandchildren, and her enjoyment for teaching early childhood development, Traci enjoyed the warm weather of living in South Florida, warm weather getaways, lying in the sun adjacent to her pool, reading fiction and magazines, listening to her favorite songs from her youth and watching her favorite TV reruns and gameshows from the 1970’s. However, Traci’s one true love was her children, and in more recent years, the love for her grandchildren. There was nothing more important to Traci, or that she enjoyed more, than spending time with family, especially during the holidays. Traci absolutely loved Christmas and everything this holiday has to offer. From the classic Christmas songs to classic Christmas movies, Hallmark and Great American Family Christmas movies and vintage Christmas television shows… the Christmas holiday was truly her favorite time of year, and she worked so hard to make this holiday very special for her family. Throughout her life, Traci left her loving and caring mark on everyone she met. For those who knew Traci, she was always warm and caring (and sometimes outspoken, like her mother 😊 ). Her care and concern for others could always be seen in the love and compassion she showed so many throughout her life. Traci loved her family deeply, and her family’s love for her runs just as deep. We have been so blessed having Traci in our lives as a wife, mother, nonny, sister… we cannot imagine what our lives or our world will be like without her. Traci passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family after bravely battling a long, recurring illness. Her courage and strength during this time showed just how much she valued life, how deeply she loved her family, cared for her friends, and the thousands of children she embraced, through her work. Traci was preceded in death by her father Gary Jones, her mother Merrily Jones, and her Grandparents. She is survived by her loving and devoted family; her husband Chris, her daughters Tarah Magner (Michael), Kelsey Picknell, her son Anthony Picknell (Ixchel), her grandchildren Peyton Magner, Camden Magner, Llewie Picknell, and two more on the way, her brother Gary Jones, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and loving friends. The celebration of Traci’s life will be held on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, with a visitation from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. followed by her funeral service from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Palms West Funeral Home, located at 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411. Phone: (561) 753-6004. The family requests any donations of love be made in Traci’s name and memory to either of the following charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or The Hospice of Palm Beach County (https://trustbridge.com/foundation/).

Traci Lee Picknell

April 23, 1965 - May 25, 2025