Hannah Alva Pickett

MADISON - Hannah Alva Pickett, age 81, educator, scholar and friend to the very young, died unexpectedly Saturday evening Jan. 17, 2009, while she slept. Hannah was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Aug. 6, 1927, with twin sister, Miriam by her side, with her older brothers, Buddy and Richard guiding her path, with her Chief of Police father, Sam Lippman protecting her every step and with her mother, Nettie Abramowitz Lippman keeping the family together during every step of the journey. Hannah received an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949 majoring in International Politics. She married Sandy Diamond and together they moved to Manhattan where Hannah worked as a purchasing agent for a photographic supply house. In 1958, she and Sandy moved to Milwaukee where daughter Irene was later born. While working for a federally funded Head Start for low-income families, Hannah went back to school, first receiving in 1969, her master's degree in Early Childhood Education and later, in 1973, receiving her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1972, she began working for Milwaukee Area Technical College rising to the ranks of associate dean. In 1990, she left MATC, retiring after 18 years of distinguished work. Not one to rest on her accomplishments, Hannah came out of retirement to teach at UW-Milwaukee before moving to Madison in 1992 to be closer to her beloved daughter, Irene and her growing grandchildren. Milwaukee's loss was certainly Madison's gain. Hannah's love of children and the arts led her down a path of volunteerism that touched and enriched the lives of many, young and old. Hannah felt that making a difference and touching the lives of young children were critically important. She began her work with Retired Seniors Volunteer Professionals in 1995, leading to her work in the Madison elementary schools of Crestwood, Glen Stephens and Muir and her summer reading program in the Wexford Ridge neighborhood. Recognition for her work was aplenty. Hannah was the recipient of the 2004 MetLife Foundation Volunteers Enrich America Award, a national award honoring 25 of the country's leading volunteers. Also in 2004, Hannah was nominated for the J. Martin Wolman Outstanding Service for Youth Award, an award sponsored by the Wisconsin State Journal Youth Services Charity. Hannah was the recipient of a Helping Award on behalf of Schools of Hope Volunteers, an organization dedicated to helping children learn to read in the Madison Schools. Hannah was active with the United Way of Dane County and spoke frequently on the subject of children's needs. Hannah's work and her spirit of giving was the subject of numerous articles in the Wisconsin State Journal and Capital Times, praising and promoting her work with children and specifically her ability to make a child feel accomplished. Saying ""good job"" to a child when they achieve is essential, Hannah would say. ""We don't say yes enough, and a lot of grownups miss the opportunity to say it to children, and all they hear is no,"" Hannah would say. Saying no was not in Hannah's makeup. The Madison Opera and the arts in general were Hannah's next love, where Hannah served on the board and spent countless hours selling the virtues of the Madison Opera to whoever dared to cross her path at the Overture or at her table on a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market. But Hannah's greatest love was reserved for her daughter, Irene and her five beautiful granddaughters, who miss her more than words can convey. Hannah is survived by her daughter, Irene Diamond; son-in-law, Steve Tumbush; and grandchildren, whom she adored, Alexandra, Abigail, Anna, Ava and Aliza. Hannah is further survived by her twin sister, Miriam (Morrie) Finkel; and their children, Ken (Margaret) Finkel , Amy (Richard) Braemer and Ned (Tawnya) Finkel; sister-in-law, Florence (Buddy) Lippman; and their children, Susan (Sam) Knobler, Ted (Ethel) Lippman, and Sam (Ellen) Lippman; and sister-in-law, Debby (Richard) Lippman; and their daughter, Jane Lippman. Hannah was preceded in death by her brothers, Buddy and Richard Lippman; and her former husband, Sanford (Sandy) Diamond. Respecting Hannah's wishes, there will not be a service. Hannah would want those who loved her to celebrate her life by taking a moment to help a child to read. Donations in Hannah's honor may be made to the Madison Opera, Dane County Humane Society or Wisconsin Public Radio.