Obituary of Rosamond P. Harvey-Smith

On the morning of Saturday, September 16th, 2023, Rosamond "Pickie" Harvey-Smith passed away peacefully at the Waveny Care Center in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Born Rosamond Pearson Pickering on June 7th, 1934, in Beverly, MA, she was the eldest daughter to George Washington Pickering III and Rosamond Pearson Foster. Being the oldest child in the Pickering family, she was given the charming moniker "Pickie" as a toddler, which endured her entire lifetime.

Pickie was a survivor of the historic Hartford Circus Fire on July 6, 1944. As a 10-year-old, she and her mother attended the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus matinee and managed to escape as fire broke out tragically killing 167 and injuring more than 700 that day.

Growing up on the north shore of Boston, Pickie was a 1952 graduate of Beverly High School and attended the Beverly Hospital School of Nursing. Pickie often recounted fondly of the times she spent at her maternal grandparent’s property in Beverly Farms, MA, playing Monopoly with her cousin Billy, and of her beloved St. Bernard Togo.

In 1959, she married Peter Widmer, of Greenwich, CT, after they met while he was in Marblehead for a sailing regatta.  They settled in Darien, CT. and three sons followed: David, Timothy, and Michael. While raising her three active boys, Pickie enjoyed volunteering for the Junior League, Children's Aid, St. Luke's Church, and many other local organizations. 

In 1978, Pickie was remarried to Michael Harvey-Smith, from Rowayton, CT. She made Rowayton her home and established and maintained lifelong friendships with so many. Pickie was a dedicated, loyal, and extremely hard worker and had a successful35-year career in real estate listing, renting, and selling many homes in the Darien and Rowayton area.

When not spending time with her 11 grandchildren, who called her ‘Nina’, or attending their sporting events, art shows, dance recitals, and music concerts, Pickie loved attending Broadway musicals, enjoying warm sunny days at the beach, playing bridge, and spending time with her many friends. She was also a tremendously talented painter and although never took art classes, later in life created beautiful paintings with realism and still life.

She was predeceased by Michael Harvey-Smith in 2017 and spent the last six years in the loving care of Waveny Care Center, for which her family is very grateful. 

Pickie is survived by her sister Mary Abramson (Joel) of Swampscott, MA, her brother Joe Pickering (Arlene) of Marblehead, MA, her three sons; David Widmer (Angela) of Huntington, LI, Tim Widmer (Annmarie) of Rowayton, CT and Michael Widmer (Roni) of Fairfield, CT, and stepsons Chris Harvey-Smith of Norwalk, CT and John Harvey-Smith (Nancy) of Bridgeport, CT, and 11 grandchildren: Nick Widmer, Max Widmer (Aleah), Jacqueline Widmer, Andrew Widmer, Tessa Widmer, Tommy Widmer, Vivian Defelice (Anthony), Estelle Widmer, Michael Widmer, Blake Widmer, and Devenny Widmer, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on October 21st at St. Luke's Church in Darien, CT, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pickie’s memory can be made to

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, 1388 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA. 94109.