Marblehead lost longtime resident, Evangeline Pearl Brown, on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, after she succumbed to her long battle with congestive heart failure. Pearl was able to die in the comfort of her own home, thanks to her wonderful caregivers Debbie Power and Naomi Sheppard, and to a new dear friend, Dianne Jenkins—a volunteer with All Care Hospice, who sat with her night after night so that Debbie could have a break—and to Bill Smalley, who was always there for Pearl. Her family is forever indebted to Debbie, Naomi, Dianne and Bill for their endless kindness and patience.
Pearl was born in Orange, NJ, to Arthur Sedgewick and Evangeline Pearl Woodruff on September 19, 1923. Like her mom, she was named after her grandmother, Evangeline Booth (but always went by Pearl). Her grandmother was sent to America by her father, William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army, to start a chapter in the United States.
At the age of 15, Pearl and her family moved to Albany, NY. She attended Cornell University during World War II, then shortly after graduating, Pearl moved to Marblehead. That first summer she worked as a helper to an older couple, the Damons, who owned the former King's Rook in Ipswich. Mrs. Damon decided Pearl needed to meet some young people and introduced her to Fred Brown. Pearl and Fred spent long summer days out on his lobster boat, then married the following Christmas Eve at the Old North Church in Marblehead. Every time, Pearl and her daughter, Sarah, would walk through Old Town, she would talk about that December 24th evening—with snow falling at a brisk clip, the church lit up and bells ringing.
Pearl raised three children and volunteered for various organizations, including the League of Women Voters. Then in the early '60s, she and a Marblehead friend started a small in-home craft business making decorative hanging disks. For years, they—along with Pearl's daughter and several of her friends—produced thousands of gingerbread men, birdhouses, circles and all kinds of other shaped disks. These were sold in gift shops throughout the United States. Eventually Fred took over the business, and Pearl decided to pursue her interest in psychology and get a Master's of Education.
After earning her M.Ed. from Boston University, she began working as a therapist in 1974 for North Central Human Services, Gardner, MA. The first day on the job, she met Earla Williams, who became a close lifelong friend. Pearl traveled back and forth each week, staying out in Western Mass from Monday through Wednesday, living with June Haskell. She and June became fast friends from the moment they met and remained best friends for over four decades. Pearl loved her job and continued working until she retired at the age of 75.
Just prior to her retirement, she and Friedel Green, who Pearl had met in high school and remained close friends with for nearly 80 years, decided to build a home in Wellfleet. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Browns and Greens camped side-by-side at the Mass Audubon Sanctuary in South Wellfleet. Finally, when the two ladies grew tired of sleeping in tents—and with both of their husbands long gone—they rented a house together in downtown Wellfleet, usually for five weeks each summer. Then in 1998, Pearl and Friedel decided to pool their resources and had their lovely home on Arey Lane built at the age of 75 and 76, respectively! They enjoyed spending afternoons at Long Pond and Mayo Beach, getting Sarah and her husband, Joel, to drive them down Commercial Street in "P-Town" on busy Saturday nights, taking walks at the Audubon, and of course, having cocktails on the deck of their home. Everyone in Wellfleet knew "the old ladies."
Pearl never let age get in the way of enjoying anything, especially traveling. She made many trips over the years, including a trip with June to Thailand when she was in her 80s. She and June also co-owned Miss Tub, a big old blue kayak, and together, they explored many of the marshes and rivers throughout the Cape. Pearl was close to 90 when she took her last kayaking adventure with June.
This past fall, Pearl taught her last adult education class at the Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute at Salem State University. She had planned on teaching a course this coming April entitled PSI: Does Psychic Phenomena Exist? Hospice volunteer Dianne had become her eyes, helping Pearl, who had advanced macular degeneration, prepare for the course. During her last month of life, Pearl was deeply saddened knowing she wouldn't be able to follow through and teach the class.
Pearl had many other diverse interests—including her drumming group—which met regularly on Sunday afternoons. With a drum she bought in Seattle, she was an active member of the group up until this past December. Pearl also led several dream groups over the years, helping participants use their dreams to guide and understand their lives.
Pearl never gave up on life, even when she was dealt some very difficult blows, like the unexpected loss of her beloved Fred in 1988. She had an incredibly strong will to live, battling her illness and serious vision issues until the very end. She treasured the many wonderful friends she felt blessed to have had throughout her 94 years—Friedel, Lou and her daughters, "the Green Girls"; June and Norman; Earla and Peter; Irene, Harry and their three daughters; Bonnie; Bill; Sally; Anina; Charles and Hilde; Phil and Alta; Gus and Iris; Fran; Sharon C.; Don G.; Diane H.; Linda M.; Joanne P.; Mary S.; Linden; Nancy D. and John W.—as well as many new friends, like Van, Regina, Vicki, Nancy W., Polly and Karen from the congregation at the Unitarian Universalist Church located in Swampscott. Pearl's daughter, Sarah, wishes to thank everyone who called and visited her mom during the last weeks of her life. Your love and comfort meant the world to Pearl.
Pearl leaves behind three children, Sarah Downs, Jonathan Brown and Christopher Brown; three grandchildren, Emily Downs, Nahum Brown and Rachel Brown; her son-in-law, Joel E. Downs, and her brother, Arthur Woodruff of Nokomis, FL, his wife, Jean, and their four children, William, Lauren, Alexandra and Wells. A memorial service will be held this coming spring at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, when the daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and the congregation can walk the labyrinth at the church together in memory of Pearl. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, 101 Forest Ave, Swampscott, MA 01907.
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