Pearl Lee Barger

Pearl Lee was born in Portland, Oregon, to parents James and Evelyn (Dayball) Lee on February 10, 1918. She had two siblings, Sadie and Edgar. Pearl was raised in the Portland area and she graduated from Girls Polytechnic; she graduated early at the age of 16.

From Pearl’s first marriage came one son, Robert H. Lee. Pearl’s second marriage to Donald C. Barger produced another son, Richard E. Barger, and a daughter, Lovetta (Tweed). The family lived mostly in and around the Portland area. When Donald took up field work in the Boilermaker’s union, they moved around the western states to go where the work was. Pearl has also lived in St. Helens, Deer Island, and in the Salem / Keizer area. Pearl was predominantly a homemaker, but also worked as a seamstress and baked pies for a restaurant in her younger years.

Pearl enjoyed knitting, crafts, and gardening. She was also a masterful cake maker and made many “novelty” cakes for events and celebrations. She lived through the depression era and knew how to make a little bit go a long way. Her actions and nature reinforced the idea that the “richness” in life is not something attained with money. It is the closeness of family and the strong bonds of friendship that matter most.

Pearl will be remembered for her generous heart and for the care that she showed for her family and friends. She was a witty, spunky, and sharp, and she had a wonderful (sometimes a little off-color) sense of humor. Pearl had an energy that everyone seemed to gravitate towards. So many thought the world of her. She will be remembered as a person who loved and identified with animals. She cared for any stray animal that needed her tender touch and she cared for many, many creatures over the course of her life.

Pearl is predeceased by her loving husband Donald; parents James and Evelyn; her siblings Sadie Plotner and Edgar Lee; and sons, Robert H. Lee and Richard E. Barger.

She is survived by her daughter Lovetta Tweed, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, four nieces, and three nephews.

A funeral service will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, July 21st, at 1pm. She will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Oregon Humane Society.