Mary B Pearce

MARY E. BAILEY PEARCE, 94, of Crestwood Manor, Whiting, MANCHESTER, died peacefully Thursday, August 4 at the Crestwood Manor Health Unit, Whiting. “Betty” as she was fondly known to all, was born April 14, 1922 in New Haven, CT to Howard C. and May “Maize” G. Bailey. Older brothers Gervin and Liberty Bond preceded her passing.

Betty graduated from Trenton High School in 1939 and bonded with a group of friends who nicknamed themselves ‘The Card Club’. This 9-member sorority maintained close contact and continued for more than seven decades. Betty was the last remaining member of that unique coterie of lifelong friendships.

Betty settled in Lawrenceville and worked at AT&T during WWII and afterwards, she met and married a fellow AT&T employee, Maitland “Mait” W. Pearce. They were married fifty-seven years at the time of Mait’s passing in 2007. During their marriage they lived throughout New Jersey in the communities of Lawrenceville, Flemington and Clinton prior to their retirement in Whiting, Manchester.

Betty enjoyed bowling and golf, card playing, especially the game of bridge. She mastered the time-honored craft of needlepoint and was a truly gifted quilter. In recent years she was an active member of the Red Hat Society. Betty was a member of Whiting’s Community Reformed Church and she had taught Sunday school while a member of the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by two daughters and a son, Janice M. and husband Dr. Mark Luce of Fayetteville NC, Susan H. and husband Arthur Durnan of Laramie WY, and son Lee M. Pearce of London, England, grandchildren Jennifer E. and husband Travis Petty of Laramie WY, grandson James A. Durnan of Austin, TX and two great-grandchildren Henry and Clair E. Petty of Laramie, WY; husband Mait’s cousin Jay Pearce and his wife Edwina of Danbury, CT, nephew Richard “Dick” Bailey and wife Karen of Sun Lakes, AZ and extended family member Theresa “Terry” Sheehan of Bullhead City, AZ.

Andersen & Campbell, Whiting has been entrusted with the private arrangements. A memorial service honoring Betty’s life will be held at Crestwood Manor, Whiting at a future date. In lieu of flowers contributions may kindly be made to United States Submarine Veterans, New Jersey Shore Base, c/o Robert M. Cloupe, 510 Raleigh Drive, Forked River, New Jersey 08731.

Arrangements under the direction of Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting, NJ.