Nettie Pearlman

Nettie was brought into this world on November 25, 1920, just shy of 91 years ago. She grew up in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, when times were very tough for most everyone, including her family. At the age of 24, she joined the United States Women's Army Corp, where she officially became a WAC. She had a far from auspicious beginning to her military career. On her very first day of service, serving at a military hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, her commanding officer ordered her to go into one of the hospital rooms and sponge-bathe a soldier. Upon approaching the patient, she immediately realized he was dead, this realization was followed by a scream, and she ran from the hospital, and hid in her barracks for the rest of the day. Shaking in her army boots, she returned the next day to find that she was not facing a court-martial, nor she wasn't reported as AWOL, but rather she was consoled and given a less gruesome task for her second first day on duty. She went on to proudly serve our country for the next two years.

Upon leaving the service (with an honorable discharge, I might add), she eventually ended up working as a legal secretary for an attorney who would transform her life into one filled with abundant love and joy. After working for him for just a short time, the lawyer received news that his wife was pregnant, and he was so overjoyed that he gave his newly hired secretary a week's paid vacation in celebration. Nettie rounded up a couple of friends and they decided to go to Grossinger's in the Catskills. Before the trip began, the weather turned ugly, and her friends canceled. Being the independent woman she was, she went on her own and roomed with a few women she had never met before. The first night at dinner, in walk a group of young men, who caught all of the girls' attention. But, alas, the maitre d' would not allow them into the dining room, as they were not wearing the proper attire of a jacket and tie. Undaunted, the group of young men, went back to their rooms, donned jackets and ties, but not before first removing their shirts and slacks. So wearing jackets and ties (as required), along with boxer shorts, socks (some with garters) and shoes, they fearlessly returned to the dining hall...where of course they were greeted with cheers and applause (especially from the young women!).

It was love at first sight for Nettie. No kidding, Herb Pearlman had great legs. After a long-distance, Philly to NYC relationship, they tied the knot, produced three beautiful children, and created the kind of memories we all hope to have the opportunity to gather in the course of our lives.

Their relationship was filled with complete and utter love for one another from start to finish...and now that they are together again, maybe there is no finish. One can't help but hope such things are possible, especially when true love is involved.

Nettie was all about family. She cherished her husband and doted on her children. She wanted nothing more than to be part of their lives, whether it was helping to cook for a party--and what party would be complete without Nettie's chopped liver, celebrating holidays together, oh, how we will all miss her pot roast, or later on, babysitting for her grandchildren. Her family was her heart and soul.

As my friend Lea, who was very close to my mother, said to me after Nettie's passing, she may have become frail in body, but never did she become frail in mind. As we all know, Nettie was sharp as a tack right up until the end. Nettie never hesitated to tell you how she really felt about things; her opinion always went uncensored. Feisty is the word I have been hearing from family and friends much of this week to describe my mother.

My mom passed peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, while sleeping in her favorite chair. She passed holding fast to the wonderful memories of my father, and the wonderful memories of Ashley's wedding, knowing her grandson Austen is excelling in college, knowing her son Louis found the love of his life in Ellen, and that he has the daughter of his dreams in Rebecca, seeing her younger daughter (that would be me) in a solid and loving relationship, and knowing her older daughter Franci is on the path to finding happiness in her life. Nettie passed away with great love in her heart for all five of her grandchildren (Sara, Ashley, Thomas, Austen, and Rebecca) secure in the knowledge that they are all on their way to great success in their lives, because of the love and determination and caring natures they all possess. And I firmly believe that those are the traits which were passed on from their extraordinary and loving grandmother. Well, done, Nettie!

Rest in Peace, Mom

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From Nettie's granddaughter who lives in Australia...

Grandma, I love you so much and wish you were still with us today. I am just so happy that I was there to celebrate your 90th birthday with you and that you were there for me on my most special day, my wedding day. I also wish I was able to be here today, but I am so glad that all of you are here to help support my wonderful mother and brother through there hard times. Grandma was always so generous, always slipping us money and gifts whenever we went to visit her, and always helping my mom out when she needed it. I am just so glad we were able to spend so much time with her, having dinner together once a week whenever I was in town, and she was always there for us on our birthdays, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and the list goes on.

I hope that she will be happy forever, no matter where she is now. And I know that she will always be looking down at me and guiding me. Thank you to everyone here, and a special thanks to you, Grandma.

Love,

Ashley

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