Shirley A. Pearl

Shirley A. Pearl (Age 92) passed away peacefully in her sleep November 9, 2012 at The Virginian. Born and raised in Lohrville, Iowa, Shirley was the wife of the late Gerald O. Pearl, a Pearl Harbor Survivor who died on the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Shirley was a woman much loved not only by her family, but by all she met. She was a sassy redhead with a great sense of humor. Shirley adored her two children, Bill and Claudia, was passionate about gardening and growing orchids, loved to dance, and loved dogs. As a Navy wife for over two decades, she had a knack for making a “home” wherever she landed. After they were posted in Australia, her husband was sent back to the Pentagon in 1961 and they bought their first home in the City of Fairfax, Virginia. Shirley lovingly gardened there for many years before they moved to Widewater Beach in Stafford, VA where she started a bigger and better garden. Upon their move to Melbourne, Florida her garden included exotic and tropical flowers that flourished with her loving care. She lived at The Virginian for the last 8 years and her passion for flowers turned to orchids. Other residents would bring their flowers to her to revive. And she did.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Opal; her brother Leonard; and sisters Bonnie Cathcart and Nellie Leona Caylor. Those left behind to honor and cherish her memory are her children – Bill Pearl (& Donna) and Claudia J. Lewis; grandchildren Missy Henriksen (& Jeff) , Lisa McNally (& Mike), Heather Gutierrez (& Dan) and Brian; and great-grandchildren Haley, Taylor, Nathan and Kevin; and her sister Lois Vanderpool of Indianola, Iowa.

Funeral services to be held at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, 204 Lee Ave, Building # 335, Fort Myer,VA,22211. Please arrive by 10:30am. January 14, 2013 at 11AM. Interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Shirley Pearl to: Bethany of Fairfax (adoption services), 10378B Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030; or Friends of Homeless Animals, PO Box 415. Aldie, VA 20105, www.foha.org; or Garden Club of Virginia, Kent Valentine House, 12 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219 www.gcvirginia.org for the restoration project. .