Like everyone else, we were shocked to hear about Pearl's passing.  Pearl was bigger than life and she had survived so many other serious health problems, that it seemed unbelievable that it was a stroke that took her.  We have not seen much of each other for the past couple of years, something we had fully intended to correct.  We let life get in the way sometimes much to our regret later.  However, we do have many pleasant, happy memories of our times together in Calgary and the trips we took - especially the one we made to England and Wales with Pearl, Alan and his mother.  Our deepest condolences to Alan, David and family.  Rest in peace Pearl, you did good while you were with us and will not be forgotten.

Dear Alan, David & family we were so sorry to hear of cousin Pearl’s passing. Cousins are really good friends and we were blessed to have had Pearl’s presence in our lives for so many years. We are sure losing Pearl is a painful experience for all who knew her. Pearl will be joining her Mom and Dad in heaven. Her father (uncle Bill) had a special place in his heart for Pearl. In fact, he would always refer to her as "My Pearl" and would be just beaming when he talked about her. He was always so happy when he was going to visit or be visited by her and would say "I am going to visit my Pearl or my Pearl is coming" and he was always so very proud of her and her family. To us, Pearl felt like more than a cousin as her Mom & Dad visited (Aunt Rose & Uncle George) quite regularly with Pearl when they lived in Montreal. When she moved to Calgary from England, we visited her & Alan there and then BC, she and Alan would come back East for visits for visits as well. We shared many fun times and will miss her good humour and genuine love and caring for our family.
Once again our sincere condolences:
Kim, Gary & Don Stewart


Today I received the heartbreaking news that MFG (my fairy godmother) Pearl had passed away.  I cannot possibly put into words the incredible sadness I have been feeling since I got the message from my cousin Dave, that this woman, whom I have loved and admired since I was a little girl, had suffered a stroke.
To me, Pearl was invincible.  She had survived multiple health scares and came through them all.  She was a fighter and a strong woman.  At first, I thought she would survive this as well.  I was shocked to find out that she had been placed in palliative care.  However, when I heard this news, I knew in my heart that if my godmother were not going to pull through this and carry on a normal life, she would not want to be bedridden and taken care of.  She was very independent, a bit of a firecracker with lots of spunk and she would help anyone, as all her years of volunteer work will attest too.
My parents chose my godmother wisely.  I could not have wished for a better one.  I still have the christening dress she sent over from England.  I also have some £ notes that Pearl would send to me in my birthday cards when I was growing up.  She was my first pen pal.  She would write me letters when I was too young to read them.  Growing up, I adored her.  When she would come to visit I would pretend that I had a British accent too because I wanted to be just like her.
We were both crafty and we would exchange Christmas gifts.  One year she sent me a silver tinsel Christmas tree, which we still use at my workplace.  I received beautiful quilted gifts as well.  In return, I made her one or two cross-stitch gifts and I even crocheted her a yorkie.  She loved her Yorkies.  She had several of them over the years.  I must confess that when I went to visit her with my Mom when I was 21, I dropped Nipper coming down the stairs.  He was a tough little guy and although he was a bit stunned, he recovered quickly.  I never picked him up for the rest of the visit.  Another gift I remember was a doll as tall as me.  Pearl had asked Alan to bring me a doll when his ship docked in Montreal.  ]
Pearl and I shared many of the same interests.  We both watched Coronation Street and we shared the same taste in music.  Pearl sent me my first vinyls or LPs from England when I was about 5 years old by Engelbert Humperdinck.    Later on, I discovered the Bay City Rollers and Pearl sent me their albums.  My musical taste improved with time and we shared a love of David Bowie and Queen.  Pearl was so cool.
When Pearl would come to visit from England, she would bring my cousin David with her.  He was a bit of a tease, sometimes he was a bit annoying but he also made me giggle.  Kind of like my two brothers.  One year Pearl came to visit when my Mom was in hospital for foot surgery.  I was panicking because I could not cook but we ordered St Hubert Bar-b-que and mille-feuilles for dessert and it was delicious.    I always think of Pearl when I have mille-feuilles or gin and tonics.  When Pearl would visit we would go sightseeing in Old Montreal, we took a caliche ride once.   We would walk through Mount Royal Cemetery visiting all our relatives gone before us.  We also liked to go to Rosemount (Montreal) and walk by the duplex on 24th Avenue where Pearl grew up.  Pearl’s grandparents built the house.  Pearl and her parents lived in the bottom flat and my grandparents lived in the upper flat with my Mom and my two uncles.  Pearl’s mother, Lily Squires was my grandmother’s sister, Ethel Dowden.  They fought a lot but they shared that duplex for decades.  A few years ago, it was put up for sale and I sent Pearl the pictures from the listing to show her all the changes they had made inside.  We always planned that when Pearl would come back to visit again, we would figure out a way to get inside and have a tour.  My Mom, Betty, and Pearl were very close growing up.  Pearl would sometimes snitch on my Mom when she would come home from a date too late or if Pearl spied her kissing a boy.  My Mom always said that Pearl was a bit of a handful as a teenager.  I would prefer to call her fun.  Pearl was the flower girl at my Mom and Dad’s wedding.  She had to sleep the night before with her hair wrapped in rags so she would have ringlets.  Pearl told me she hated that, it was very uncomfortable.  My Mom and Pearl were very close throughout their lives.  They wrote to each other faithfully up until when my Mom passed away.  I also kept in touch with Pearl for over 50 years, I often asked for her advice; she always knew the right thing to say.  So often in the last week I have thought of something, to tell Pearl and then I remember that I will not be able to do that anymore and that hurts so much.
I have very fond memories of a trip that my mother and I took out west to visit Pearl, Alan and David after my Dad passed away.  I would have been about 21.  We went by train.  That trip was one of the best of my life.  Pearl and Alan took us to Banff, Lake Louise and Montana.  Mom drove with Pearl and Alan; and Dave and I followed behind in his mini listening to the Jam all the way.  The scenery was so beautiful.  We went to the Calgary Stampede parade, and Dave and I took Matthew, his godson, to the stampede. Most nights Dave and I would head to The Fox and Hound pub (I think that was what it was called) for a few drinks.  I met so many great people that trip.  I met Dave’s future wife, Patti and many of his friends.  I did not want to come home.  Pearl, Alan and David were great hosts.  
Pearl was very knowledgeable about our family history too.  She shared many stories with me.  She was particularly fond of her Grandpa Bleazard who lived with her and her parents.  He was in a wheelchair but she would sneak him smokes.  He played soccer in England in his younger days and he grew up in the Bernardo Homes for Boys in England.   He had a sister who was adopted and sent to Australia but we could never find a trace of her.
I have one more story about Pearl to share with you.  When Pearl was a baby, she was sitting on the couch in my grandparent’s house, the second story of that duplex on 24th Avenue.  The house was a magnet for lightening during thunderstorms and it was struck numerous times.  This one particular time, little Pearl was sitting on the couch and lightning struck and travelled along the stovepipes that ran from the coal stove through the house to heat it.  Right above where Pearl was sitting, the pipes split open and black soot fell upon baby Pearl, she was covered in it.  
I am thankful that she is now at peace and it is comforting that she is now reunited with her family and beloved pets who passed before her.  My heart breaks for Alan and David and David’s family.  Pearl loved them all very much. She talked about her grandkids to me all the time and she looked forward to their visits.  My dream was that one day; we could all be together for a family reunion.  
The next few days, weeks and months will be difficult for all of us who knew and loved Pearl but we can all keep Pearl’s memories and our love for her in our hearts.  She was very special.  She shared her time and loved her volunteer groups.  So many will miss her.  Rest in peace dear Pearl.

I am honoured and blessed have had Pearl in my life - I will miss her oh so much - she will remain forever in my heart.

To my dearest friend, we have shared many laughs and hours at The Gardens knitting group.  I will miss your daily emails, your wonderful sense of humour, and how you made me laugh every single day! Godspeed and rest in peace my dear friend. You'll be so missed!
Dorothy xo

OBITUARIO

Pearl Lily OCCLESTON

5 diciembre, 1941 – 8 junio, 2020

Yates Memorial Services

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