Joy Ellen (Picken) Perez

Joy Ellen (Picken) Perez, 83, previously of Lakewood, CO, passed away Monday, March 9, 2020 in Bellevue, NE.

She was an alumnus of Drake University and a homemaker at a time when that profession was honorable. As her children grew, she returned to University of Nebraska-Omaha for her teaching certificate and library endorsement. Joy worked many years as a librarian at Benson High School in Omaha, where she was part of a lively faculty group who regularly gathered at the Nifty. After moving to Lakewood, Joy worked in the Jefferson County library system until retirement. Unsurprisingly, she was well-read. Her deep and abiding passion for all things Hollywood informed all of her conversations.

Joy enjoyed reading, gardening, and coffee with friends. For years, she was a member of a Saturday morning rotating coffee with her Kansas Avenue neighbors. The close friendships formed at the weekly coffees lasted over five decades.

When Joy moved to Denver, she regularly met for coffee and lunch with two groups of women, the ISBN-ers and the Grandmothers, all of whom worked in the library system and shared her love for books and movies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Esther Picken of Des Moines, IA, and her two husbands, Ferdinand G. Perez of Lakewood, CO and William S. Erickson of Omaha, NE. She is survived by her brother Neal Picken (Linda) of Bentonville Ar; her children William J. Erickson (Sheila) of Broken Bow, NE, Neal Erickson (Julie) of Lincoln, Elizabeth Figueroa (Carlos), and Thomas Erickson (Janine) of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. She is also survived by beloved companions, feline Rosie and canine Josie.

The sun, with its eye on the clock, hurried across the sky and jumped below the foothills at 5:00…right on time. And here comes the moon, only half dressed, whispering, ‘Am I late, am I late?’ As it dawdles across the sky, the stars faint in its beauty.

The family held a private celebration of life. Memorials are suggested as follows:

Benson High Alumni Association

5120 Maple St.

Omaha, NE 68104



Feline Friendz

P O Box 641818

Omaha, NE 68164



Fabulous Felines NWA

P O Box 1283

Bentonville, Ar 72712