Anne Carlson

Anne Carlson (aka Kathy Pickett), 66, of Southern Utah, carried on her journey to her next adventure the evening of Sept. 24, 2022, in her home surrounded by beloved friends and family, as well as thoughts and prayers from friends around the country. 

She will be joining her husband Christopher Carlson, whom she married on March 11, 1989, and they will share their first kiss in 24 years and nine days. Anne is survived by her three children Eric Pickett, Denver Carlson and Brittany Carlson, as well as her stepson Nicholas Carlson and grandson Zayden Carlson.

Anne was born Feb. 14, 1956, in Bethesda, Maryland, to Frederick L. Pickett and Maryanne Farrior Pickett. She was raised in Fairfax, Virginia, where she enjoyed growing up in the suburbs of Washington DC. 

In her young adult life, Anne was a founding member of The Church of Northern Virginia and toured with their choir. One of her favorite jobs was being a camp nurse for Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, Virginia. She also enjoyed her time as one of the only young female paramedics in Fairfax, Virginia. Later, she taught at Dixie State University.

Anne was known as an artist, author, teacher and life coach. She loved spending her time creating traditional Native American drums, playing her drums for the elderly in St. George, gardening with her green thumb, connecting with friends over the phone, visiting the red rocks, taking beautiful photos, singing around the house and of course, writing and painting. Anne encouraged others to stand up for themselves and helped them better define their boundaries and re-explore what they are capable of. 

Anne lovingly and consistently published her own blog for more than seven years at: 

https://carlsonanne.wordpress.com/, always delighting readers with her honesty and quirky sense of humor. Anne looked on the bright side of life and her Facebook account blessed many friends and strangers: https://www.facebook.com/anne.carlson.9028

Several of Anne’s books will be published posthumously, including The Next Step: Coping with Loss and Anasazi Valley: My Story. Anne truly believed in every life she touched.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 14, from 4-8 p.m. at the Springs Event Center, 580 E. Spring Drive, Toquerville, Utah.

Family and friends are invited to come and share fond memories and stories. The family encourages attendees to wear their most fun bright, floral colors in true fashion of a celebration.