My mother can be summed up in one word:  Brave.  She grew up in the 1940's and 50's in Ozone Park, Queens.  Her parents, Adelard and Rita Thibault, were French Canadian immigrants from Quebec.  They were poor, but always loved.  My mother cherished the memories of growing up with her sisters.  Each married and had a family of their own, and now gradchildren.  They lost their father as teenagers.  

My mother attended Catholic high school and graduated from St John's University with a degree in Education.  She taught 6th grade in England, as well as New York.  After marrying, my father, Graham H. Pearson, whisked her away to Europe for 5 years as they was stationed in England.  He was a Navy man.  Tall, with a southern accent.  He loved us all very much.

I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1976.  Then we moved to Sicily, where David and James entered our family in 1978.  Sadly, my father passed away at 41 years old, in 1982.  This left a hole in our hearts and family that still endures.  The picture above is one of the last pictures my father would take of his family.

Mom soldiered on and dedicated her life to raising her 3 children.  She could be strict, but I always knew she loved me.  Now that we're grown, I can see the fruits of her efforts when I look at my family.  We are kind, generous, and loving with one another.  My brothers have grown into admirable men with beautiful wives and James and Melissa have given us 3 handsome boys to love and cherish.

We are a no drama family.  We always come together when it counts.  Our family is reliable and steadfast and lovely.  This is the gift my mother left to us.  Gone, but never forgotten, carried deep in my heart with my father.

I don't know how to be anyone but her daughter.

Forever in my heart Mom, I will cherish you always. Xo Melissa

Mom, you're the bravest /strongest woman I've ever met. For some reason, you never believed it, in fact, it shocked you every time we said it. Your selflessness and strength as a woman and as a mother will always leave us wided eyed in awe.  Life never was easy for you. In fact, it always seemed unfair. But you were always  grateful. Sadly, you were cheated from  your love story due to the early passing of your husband.  A widow with three young children, your sacrifices did not go unnoticed. They saw you rise up from loneliness, greif and heartbreak. You single-handedly raised the most amazing three  children. They are loving,  fiercely loyal,  compassionate and intelligent. Every time you looked at them, your eyes would  light up and  say the unspoken ... that you were humbly content because you were so  proud of  them. They were your purpose, your reason, you poured every fiber of your entire being into raising them, they were your entire world, and you were their superhero! 
 Because of the man you solely raised, my husband, I have had the most beautiful life and loving partner, he got your selflessness,  determination and humbleness. Because of your parenting Mom,  he replicated your devotion,  he poured his life into his family,  because of you Mom, your grandchildren have the most amazing, present father.   Your grandsons brought you so much joy, you held such a beautiful, loving relationship with each of them, you deeply loved them...and they absolutely adored you. For the past 20 plus years you raised me as well. You were my strongest supporter in my education,  proof reading  my college papers and  helping me  raise  the boys. You were my right hand at times. Caring for you was one of greatest honors of my entire life. We have nothing left unsaid. I will treasure all our conversations, hugs and the loved we shared,  Rest Mom, I love you, I will love/ protect them all in your honor. XoMelissa

OBITUARY

Deanna J. Pearson

May 21, 1943 – July 26, 2025

O.B. Davis Funeral Homes - Miller Place

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