Janine Mary Picatti

Yakima, WA - Janine Mary Picatti, passed away peacefully from pneumonia surrounded by dozens of her family and friends on October 23, 2025.
She was born in Yakima to Dick and Janice Picatti on January 14, 1975. Janine graduated from Davis High School where she received a standing ovation from her entire graduating class when she paused and held her diploma high above her head while crossing the stage. She went on to Pat's College, a school for Developmentally Disabled students.

Janine never met a stranger, never heard of a filter on her thoughts and opinions, and lived and loved largely. But not as large as she was loved. She was a trailblazer and will be joyfully remembered by those whose lives she touched and prejudices she changed. She was a light who charmed even the most reticent people. Janine was often the face of Down Syndrome success stories in her childhood years. Proving even experts wrong at all that could be accomplished with determination and attitude. She lived as an example to many families that found themselves blessed enough to welcome a baby with Down Syndrome. She not only survived but thrived surpassing longstanding medical limitations. She lived life with joy and zest and was admired by everyone who met her.

She was the hardest of workers enjoying 3 jobs at once working for Cintas, Yakima Specialties, and The Bon Marche at one point in her life. Additionally, she enjoyed working at The Mission until she was kindly asked to retire from her volunteer job due to her love of their chocolate chip cookies and her consumption of them.
She lived for a refreshing LARGE bottle of Coke, going to restaurants, cheering on those she loved, a party, hugs, a good slot machine, teasing and being teased, music, WWE, Football, jet ski rides, anything Mexican, anyone Mexican, and the Spanish language. She studied Spanish and perfected the truly important words "Ooola," taco, and burrito, which were among her favorites.

She had a passion for sports. Not only watching but participating. She enjoyed snow skiing and tried many different sports including water skiing. After forgetting to let go of the rope she decided she had at least tried it and that tubing was more her speed.

She considered herself an elite athlete and trained hard for Special Olympics. Bowling, team handball, track, swimming, and basketball were events she participated in throughout her life. She advanced to regional and state on numerous occasions. She prepped for each game with the discipline of a professional athlete. She had a strict diet and ordered the same hamburger, fries, and Coke before each game. She was competitive and loved adding to her large medal collection. As a competitor she decided that her silver and bronze medals were not for her and promptly tossed them in the garbage one day. She was the biggest of characters.

She lived to celebrate the holidays surrounded by her many loved ones. She never missed a year of trick-or-treating and loved to host and attend parties. She loved gifts and separated them into piles. Clothes. Clothes. Fun. Fun. Boring. Fun. There was nothing better in her mind than receiving individually wrapped cans, bottles, and 2-liter Cokes. Exclaiming surprise and delight as she unwrapped each and every one.

Birthdays were the biggest of deals. She celebrated her half birthday, and the countdown until January 14th, began on January 15th. Her 21st birthday was spent in a limo on a "Coke bar crawl." She topped the night off by popping out of the limo's sunroof at the McDonald's drive-thru. Her 30th birthday party was celebrated with a surprise Mariachi band. Her 40th was a Coke themed surprise party, and her 50th was spent enjoying toasts, nachos, burritos and other delicacies.

Janine joins her dad, Dick Picatti, in heaven. She is survived by her mom, Janice Picatti, her sisters Julie Picatti (Dennis), Jodi Rose (Neal), and her beloved nieces Fiori, Allegra, and Rowan.

A Rosary vigil will be held at St. Paul's in Yakima on Thursday, November 6th at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Everyone attending is encouraged to wear red to the vigil in honor of Janine's love of Coca-Cola!

The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Paul's Cathedral on Friday, November 7th at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Janine's memory to the Client Fund at Community Living in Yakima.

The family is being cared for by Brookside Funeral Home. Memories and condolences can be shared on www.brooksidefuneral.com