Pearl June Conkle

Pearl June Conkle, born on June 25, 1926, in Yakima, Washington, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024. She was the 9th of 10 children of William Thomas Jaques and Hallie May Jaques (born Lee). Pearl was married to Les Clyde Conkle, a Wisconsinite who served as a City of Seattle Health Inspector. He passed on December 15, 2020. Together, they built a life full of love and laughter in Seattle, where Pearl resided for over 80 years.

Pearl was a devoted mother to her five children: Bonnie Fletcher (husband Ben), Kathy Clemons (husband Frank), Carol Miner, Bill Conkle, and Dot Prentice (husband Terry). She was a beloved grandmother to nine grandchildren, a great-grandmother to twelve, and a great-great-grandmother to four. Her large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many others were also touched by her kindness. Her family was the center of her world, and her legacy of love and caring will be cherished for generations to come.

As a teenager, Pearl broke ground as one of Seattle’s pioneering "girl deejays," using a Shyvers Multiphone to flip records from a central location based on listener requests. This role highlighted her innovative spirit in a time when the music industry was predominantly male, making her a trailblazer in the field.

While she was raising her children, Pearl started volunteering at Daniel Bagley Elementary School, a commitment that ended up lasting over 60 years. Known affectionately as "Grandma Pearl," she shared her love of crafts with countless children, teaching them knitting, embroidery, leatherworks, and other arts. Pearl had a playful spirit that shined during the annual spring carnival at Daniel Bagley. Each year, she dressed up as a clown, bringing smiles and laughter to the students. One year, eleven other people joined her to serve as "clown security" making the event even more festive and memorable. Pearl’s love of spreading joy was infectious! At other school events, Pearl dressed up as Daniel Bagley’s mascot, a bumblebee complete with full yellow and black striped face paint. Her involvement in the Art of Love Project at Daniel Bagley was particularly impactful. Pearl, along with students, knitted hats, booties, blankets, and headbands for children at Seattle Children's Hospital, bringing comfort and warmth to those in need. Pearl's dedication to the school community was recognized with the prestigious PTA’s Golden Acorn award, honoring her exceptional service and commitment to the well-being of children.

Pearl worked for 10 years during the 80s as the kitchen supervisor at Bishop Blanchet High School, utilizing her skills as a competent cook and leader. Her joyful energy created a positive work environment and led to lasting friendships with her coworkers.

In addition to working outside the home, Pearl excelled at several hobbies. Her passion for quilting was unmatched. For many years, she hosted a quilting group every Monday in her home. She was committed to passing on her love of quilting, attending the Tillamook and Sisters Quilting Camps for over 20 years with her daughters, nieces, and grandchildren. Her intricate, handcrafted quilts were works of art, each one reflecting her extraordinary talent and dedication to the craft. Pearl was an accomplished fiber artist, known for creating beautiful hats, scarves, doilies, tablecloths, and clothing. Her generosity knew no bounds, and those fortunate enough to know her often received these lovingly made items as gifts.

Pearl dabbled in baking and cake decorating, making towering and beautiful wedding cakes that were the centerpiece of many celebrations. She had a whimsical side, creating the unique tradition of hanging the Christmas tree upside down from the ceiling in order to have room for the numerous presents she had bought and beautifully wrapped for all her family and friends. Pearl also collected garden gnomes that adorned her beautiful flower gardens. She referred to these gnomes as “LePeCons”, a play on the word leprechaun that was a portmanteau of her and her husband’s names (Les Pearl Conkle). Each one of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren had their own LePeCon and whenever they visited Grandma Pearl, they would be overjoyed to find their LePeCon had brought them a surprise. Her playful touch brought a sense of wonder and joy to all who visited her home.

Her open-door policy made her home a haven for many. Pearl welcomed everyone, whether they were people she met at bus stops, nieces and nephews attending school, friends traveling through Seattle or anyone in need of a warm meal and a place to stay. She was everyone’s mother, creating a family out of those who crossed her path.

Pearl's life was enriched by the close proximity of her daughter Dot and her husband Terry, along with their children, Veronica and Libby. They all lived right next door to Pearl, in what the family affectionately referred to as "The Compound." This living arrangement allowed for a deep bond between Pearl and the Prentice family, who lovingly cared for her for decades. Terry went above and beyond as a son-in-law to be a constant support, always finding room in the refrigerator for one more item and lending a hand with whatever she needed. This close-knit family environment provided Pearl with love, companionship, and a sense of security in her later years.

Pearl’s life was marked by her boundless energy, kindness, and generosity. Into her 90s, she continued to touch lives through her volunteer work and creative projects. Pearl Conkle’s legacy is one of love, creativity, and community—a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. To celebrate Pearl, we invite you to learn a new craft, cook a casserole, eat a spiced gumdrop, smile at a stranger, spark up a conversation, volunteer in your community, play a round of the card game Baranof, or simply tell your family you love them.