Yesterday, I looked at my hard-copy 2024 calendar and realized I hadn’t transferred dates to 2025. Idk why it was so shocking to see my notes about my mother’s passing at 12:50 am on 7/9/2020! It brought it back so vividly to when I got the call!!! I just lit a yahrzeit candle and texted all the immediate family. Her memory is a gift of love!😢

Thinking of my sweet, engaging Grandmother, Mama Choo Choo; apologies that I am not visiting the cemetery with you. I keep Choo Choo’s photos all over our home, so she is always on my mind. Love you & miss her company; but, Thankful for All of our years,  Together . 

Pearl Claire Arbeit Achsen was born in Manhattan on June 11, 1917, to Lena and Morris Arbeit, late of Austria-Hungary. “Pearlie” or “Mama Choo Choo,” as she was known affectionately, passed away July 9th at Miami Jewish Health, after having made her home in Hallandale, FL, since 1975. Raised in Washington Heights and The Bronx, she was graduated from the then-prestigious, all-girls Walton High School. Of her six brothers and sisters, Pearl proudly was the sole sibling to receive a high school diploma. 
Genetically blessed with length of years, she lived three years past her centennial year by sheer force of will, abiding stubbornness, a day-to-day philosophy of “playing it by ear,” and a life-saving sense of humor, even in the face of cascading debilitation. 
A buxom beauty, Pearl was a semi-finalist in the 1934 contest for Miss New York State. The night before Pearl Harbor was bombed, she was married to the dashingly handsome David Achsen, who later co-owned a subsidiary of General Tire and Rubber Company. A home-front “war widow,” while her husband worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yards, Pearl was indeed widowed early when Dave died in 1972, a belated WW II casualty due to his unprotected exposure to the carcinogen asbestos, which resulted in his fatal Mesothelioma. 
A fierce and life-long Democrat, Pearl was passionate about: championing the underdog; supporting research in the 1950s and ‘60s for Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease and mental retardation; her AAD medical degree (Almost A Doctor); food (a great baker like her Austrian mother); the racetrack (Pearlie always loved the ponies); TV (Animal Planet and Jeopardy); and, always, always, she took pride in being a native New Yorker. 
Donations in Pearl Achsen’s treasured memory may be made to Temple Israel of Greater Miami, Seasons Hospice at Miami Jewish Health, or the Humane Society. And, bake something sweet and think of her!

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Thank you for sharing all those wonderful memories, pictures and anecdotes. You were all truly blessed as was she. May her memory be a blessing to all  and her spirit live on through  the many generations she touched. 
Much love, Marlene

Mom & Dad,

On behalf of all us kids and grandkids I just want to say thank you for allowing all of us the opportunity to have a grandmother and great grandmother around for as long as we did which is far longer than most. Without the two of you that never would've been possible.

I also want to say thank you for Choo Choo who wasn't able to say it herself. I'm sure she was aware at least for a while how much you were doing for her and making it possible for her to stay in her apartment and provide help for her all those years. 

I know it was a tough decision to move her to the home but looking back now I'm sure you see that it was the right decision at that time.  She was a real trooper the day we moved her and it all went very smoothly considering what a big undertaking it seemed at the time. 

I'm sure now you're probably so grateful that we did that and that you were able to clean out the apartment back then rather than having to do it now.

I don't think either of you will ever look back on the situation and think there was something you could have or should have done differently.  

We Love You.  

Lisa

A remarkable woman, with an irreverent sense of humor, and a strong moral compass for human justice, who loved life and especially loved the thrill of a horserace. She was my best friend, my confidant and I already miss her so much. But her spirit will live in my heart forever! May you rest in peace my beautiful mom!

Andy

How blessed you are to have had your mom in your life for so long.  I pray that family, friends, faith and years of pleasant memories of your mom comfort you.

Warmest regards,

Mark

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Pearl Claire Achsen

11 juin 1917 – 9 juillet 2020

Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels

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