Pearl Gore Nordenbrook

She was born into abject poverty in 1933 during the Great Depression. Although she was only able to attend school through the third grade, as the daughter of a sharecropper she received an invaluable education growing up on the farm. As an adult, Pearl resumed her education. She attended night school for nursing and even brought her youngest child with her. She was very proud of her accomplishments as a nurse. Her influence shows in the careers of her daughters, all in the healthcare field.

Pearl met Richard Nordenbrook when he was stationed at Ft. Bragg while serving in the Army. They married when she was just 15 and moved to New York, where Richard was from. Her father, Doc Gore sent them some collard greens wrapped in a newspaper. That paper had an ad for an engineering job with Melpar. They then moved to Falls Church into a little neighborhood with a big church right next to Melpar.

Pearl’s greatest pride and joy was her grandchildren. A tally of her 15 grandkids and 11 great-grandkids would bring a joyful expression of “Whooowee”. She loved to brag about them to her friends and anyone else.

A devout Christian, even in pain, Pearl’s last words were used to thank God and Jesus. She was alert and peaceful until the end, looking forward to Heaven and all of its glory. She died with great strength, and great dignity.

Pearl is survived by her children, Linda Lynn, Cheryl Szczepaniak, Richard Nordenbrook, and Katy Johnson; her grandchildren, Christopher, Johnny, Jenny, Pandora, Amanda, Leandra, Alex, Patricia, Bridgette, Richard, Sophie, Joshua, Caleb, Mickey, and Barrington; and her great-grandchildren, Dalton, Colton, Danica, Duncan, Isabel, Kobe, Kory, Khai, Kyle, Jameson, and Julius.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; and her daughter, Mary Ann Williams.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 10 am on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Quantico National Cemetery.