Rebecca Pikus

Rebecca Pikus, 78, of Yale, Michigan died Sunday, June 25, 2023.

She was born September 23, 1944 in Sanford, Florida to the late Eldon and Laura Odom. She married Mario C. Pikus in May of 1973.

Rebecca graduated high school and college in New Orleans. She went on to obtain her master’s degree from The New School in NYC while working full time. She began her professional career at the New Orleans Playboy Club, moving on to the New York Playboy Club. She was a professional model early in her life, worked many years as a legal assistant, and with her driving passion to always continue her education, became a psychotherapist. When she and Mario moved from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, she began a career in real estate and eventually returned to her true love of the arts, owning and operating her own art gallery, proudly displaying the magnificent works of her husband, Mario, as well as many other emerging and well-known artists from around the world.

She was the “Queen” of the dance floor, life of the party, friend to everyone, passionate dog lover and rescue advocate but most of all, a fiercely devoted mother and wife. She broke the mold and will be sorely missed. She liked to work hard and play harder, she loved to organize social events, bringing together many members of the community of all ages and backgrounds. She always made it a point to introduce new friends to everyone (and try to match them up if they were single!). She was an advocate of the LGBTQ community since the 1980’s, well before it was trendy to do so.

She is survived by her husband, Mario; two sons, Steven (Karen) Plant and Daniel Jacques Pikus; grandsons, Samuel VanderBee and Ridley Faust; sisters, Sandra Port, Connie (Kenny) Seal and Laura (Noosha) St. James; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother, Gene Odom.

A memorial event to celebrate her life will be held in New Orleans on her birthday, September 23, 2023, details to follow.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to aide in the funeral expenses. Checks may be made out to Pollock-Randall Funeral Home or credit card payments accepted by phone at 810-982-0179. All payments will be acknowledged to the family.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences,

visit pollockrandall.com