Pearl M. Riley

Pearl was born February 3, 1917 in Curlew, Washington, died September 2, 2012 in Seattle, Washington aged 95 ½ years after a stroke, likely from atrial fibrillation.

She was preceded in death 1975 by her husband of 34 years Max Riley. She was also preceded by sister Ethel Morgan, brother Bruno Mallgren, sisters Svea Mallgren, Nora Purnell, and Peggie Brixner.

Pearl is survived by daughter Lisa Riley, son Paul Riley, three grandchildren, Miranda Riley, Sean Riley, David Bullock, nieces and nephews.

Pearl attended school through the 8th grade in Curlew where she "read every book in the school but one...." She attended high school in Dayton, Washington where her lived with her sister Nora. Nora's husband, Virgil Purnell was a teacher there. After high school she attended two years of business school in Spokane.

Pearl's father Jons Olaf Mallgren and his brother Axel Polson came to Canada from Sweden in 1906. Her mother Johanna Christina (Bostrom) and three siblings Ethel, Bruno, and Svea came to Canada from Sweden in 1908, and the family immigrated to America in 1909 and settled in the Curlew area. Svea passed away while the family lived in British Columbia and is buried there. Pearl and her sisters Nora and Peggy were born at Curlew.

Pearl worked as a "Mother's Helper" for a couple families, and later worked as a waitress in the Davenport Hotel's private dining room in Spokane.

Pearl met Max Riley while she was a waitress at the Checkerboard Café in the Fremont area of Seattle, near where Max worked for Washington Asphalt Company. They were married on February 15th 1941. Max joined the Army Air Force after the US entered World War II in December 1941. They lived near Geiger Field in Spokane. Pearl often told the story that she and Max were at the ocean west of Aberdeen on December 7, 1941 and heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor when they were returning home.

After the war, they lived in a house in south Seattle, where they began saving for a house of their own. Pearl was able to enjoy traveling with Max while he was working on road construction projects, and also worked part time for Washington Asphalt. They both had a great love for the outdoors, and were able to spend a lot of time there during this period.

In 1954, Pearl and Max took a road trip to Mexico. They went to the Grand Canyon and as far south as Guaymas, Mexico on the Gulf of California when many roads in Mexico were still unpaved. She often talked about the trip, all they had seen, and the fascinating geology.

In 1955 Pearl and Max purchased their house in north Seattle, Paul was born, and in 1959 Lisa was born. Pearl stayed at home with her children, and enjoyed sewing, reading, and gardening. It was during this time that Pearl learned the scientific names for most of the plants in her yard, she remained interested in plants and gardening for many years, and could still tell you the name of most local flora and many imports. During this time many weekends were spent on the road or at home with family and friends. Pearl's sister Peggy and her family lived close by in the north Seattle area. Max' sister Evelyn and her family, and Mother Beulah, lived in Auburn. These were popular destinations. Max construction work peaked in the summer, and was often thin in the winter, but they always made time for summer fishing and camping trips to Canada, Curlew, Sun Lakes, and other favorite spots.

When Max passed away in 1975 after a battle with lung cancer and a brain tumor, Pearl returned to work and worked for several local Seattle companies, including Roffe Sportswear, where she sewed ski wear, and Avtech Industries, where she made small parts for the aircraft industry.

Pearl had a curious nature and a lifelong desire to learn. She enjoyed reading, sewing, fishing, geology, travel, crossword and other word puzzles and games, and being outdoors. You wanted her on your team if we played Trivial Pursuit, and until graduation of her youngest grandchild a couple years ago, the grandchildren still called her for help on their homework.

For the last several years, she looked forward to family celebrations for birthdays and holidays, and her family all enjoyed her bright mind, subtle jokes, and stories about her life.