Pearl Samuel Vanderwall

Pearl Hyacinth Therese Samuel Vanderwall returned home on Saturday, June 20, 2015 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As her son, Francis and daughter-in-law, Gloria were praying the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary, the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, Pearl breathed her last here below, in order to join the Heavenly hosts together with her beloved husband, Will and her sisters, Primrose and Marguerite, her cousins, Camile & Therese of Perth, Western Australia, to celebrate the Heavenly Banquet. She leaves behind her son, Francis, and beloved daughter-in-law, Gloria.

Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, her love for God and all matters spiritual was her life-long passion. She was a Third Order Carmelite, responsible for a time for the initial formation of entering novices of the Order. Her life-long devotion, that was a manifestation of the dynamic spirit in her, was to the Montessori System of holistic education. Trained by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1942, she gave her life to helping foster and develop “the absorbent mind” of young children.

Emigrating to America in 1964, at the invitation of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Felling of Creve Coeur, MO she started teaching Montessori at Country Side Day School and then realized her dream. She opened her own Montessori School, Villa de Maria Montessori School, and at the request of Mr. Mario Montessori, initiated a training center for teachers of the Montessori Method at her school. Villa de Maria Montessori is now a flourishing school in Kirkwood, MO.

Will and Pearl were faithful and active members of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Overland, MO for many years. After her husband, Will’s death, she retired to Our Lady of Life at Cardinal Ritter Senior Services where her spirit brought joy to many.

There is so much more to say . . . those who knew her, know; those who did not continue to benefit from her passion and devotion.

The rosary and wake will be at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Alexander Funeral Home, 11101 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO. The Eucharistic Celebration will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at St. Jude Catholic Church, Overland, MO, with Fr. Joseph Parisi, Pastor, as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, also at 11101 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO