Martha Victoria Pickens, age 78
September 13, 1943 – January 20, 2022
Martha Victoria Pickens Cueva age 78 of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:14 P.M. Thursday January 20,
2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the West End Reception and Event
Venue, 202 Museum Drive, Newton, Illinois. The family will gather from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, with a service
at 4:00 PM, for those who loved and knew Martha.
In loving memory of Martha, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are in the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be
viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Martha was born on September 13, 1943, in Chulucanas, Peru , South America. She was the youngest daughter
of 11 children. Her parents were Obdulio Cueva Silupú, and Carmen C. Gallo y Gallo. Martha was a history
teacher in Peru and in the United States she acquired a Bachelors of Arts in Education to become a Spanish
teacher. She taught at St. Anthony’s High School in Effingham, Illinois, and at Newton Community High
School in Newton, Illinois. She was loved by her students and they enjoyed seeing her out in public over the
years. Her former students greeted her as “Señora Pickens”, and she always remembered the Spanish name she
had given them in high school.
Martha was united in marriage under a large maple tree with her love L.D. Pickens. Martha and L.D. were
blessed with four children: Maria Bushur (husband Terry), Oscar Pickens, Donald Pickens (wife Candy) and
Shari Pickens (deceased). She loved her grandchildren who meant the world to her; they filled her with pride
and joy. She will be dearly missed by them: Tanner Garren, Victoria Garren, Devin Pickens and Caitlen
Pickens.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to water aerobics, playing cards with friends, and watching
her daily Spanish telenovelas (Spanish soap operas); she never missed an episode. She looked forward to
speaking to her family members and friends in Peru and other countries. She was a world traveler who was
always looking for an adventure. She visited many countries and always had great stories to share.
She was beautiful, classy, loving, strong, and a brave soul. She was an extremely positive person that could see
the best in everyone. Martha was extremely generous. She helped her family and friends in Peru to succeed in
business and education. She touched many lives and was a hero to many. She would lend a hand to anyone
who needed it and was a wonderful listener that always gave sound advice. Let’s don’t forget that Martha was
quick witted and always had a good comeback.
Martha had a double lung transplant in 2017. She endured two major surgeries and bravely fought to recuperate
and live a meaningful life. This March it would have been her five year surgery anniversary. She was cared by
her husband L.D. who doted on her and provided support. He knew the little things that would make her happy;
he even cut and put together 82 vases of roses from their rose bushes. The inside of the house was covered in
beautiful red roses that warmed her heart and brightened her spirits.
She leaves behind a family that loved her: Husband, L.D Pickens, children, Maria Bushur (Terry), Oscar
Pickens, Donald Pickens (Candy). Grandchildren: Tanner, Victoria, Devin and Caitlen. Martha had 10 brothers
and sisters. Surviving brothers and sisters are as follows: Maria del Socorro Gallo, Victor Cueva Gallo, Manuel
Aurelio Cueva Gallo, and Carlos Rodolfo Cueva Gallo. She was preceded in death by daughter Shari Pickens,
brothers and sisters, Carmen Alicia Cueva Gallo, Elia Orlanda Cueva Gallo, Eduardo Hermán Cueva Gallo,
Hugo Alberto Cueva Gallo, and Raul Guillermo Cueva Gallo. Sister in-law Estrela Cueva and nephew Marco
Antonio Cueva.
“Hasta que estemos juntos denuevo” (Until we are together again…….). We love you.
