PICHES, Rachel ''Erma'' 

March 8, 1921 - Dec. 7, 2009

Erma was born in Roseville to Luther and Rachel 
Claiborne. She was one of nine children. Her father 
was a carpenter for the railroad and her mother a 
homemaker with an adventuresome spirit who took the 
children on many cross country rail trips. She is 
survived by John, her husband of 67 years; son David 
Piches and daugher-in-law Lisa Wood; daughter Donna 
Piches White; brother Lloyd Claiborne and sister-in-
law Janice Claiborne; sister-in-law Mary Dufour; and 
many nieces and nephews. Erma attended Roseville High 
School where she met John Piches. After high school 
she worked for Bank of America and the Retail Credit 
Association. She and John married in 1942, moved to 
San Francisco where she worked in the accounting 
department for the railroad and later for Ransohoff's 
Department Store. After WWII she and John moved back 
to Roseville where they started a construction 
company. By the early 1950s, their business pursuits 
were directed to real estate and insurance. In the 
1970s, they also became involved in the horse racing 
business. Always enthusiastic and personable, in her 
later years she enjoyed helping in her families' 
businesses. Erma always had words of encouragement 
for family and friends, was a source of inspiration, 
displayed a constant curiosity, all accompanied by a 
subtle wit...she touched many lives. Services will be 
private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 
the Roseville Historical Society, 557 Lincoln Street, 
Roseville, CA 95678, 916-773-3003. 

Published in the The Sacramento Bee on December 10, 
2009