DORIS R. PEARSON
Doris (Beryl) Rich Pearson passed away June 18, 2009, with her daughter, Beryl Spoelstra (John) of Wenatchee and son, William Pearson (Kathy) of Lynnwood by her side. She was 97 years old.
She was born Jan. 9, 1912 on Pine Hill Farm near Buffalo Lake, Boone County, MN to Mark and Helena Rich. She had three younger brothers, Arthur, Robert and Carroll, who have preceded her in death.
In 1918, when she was 6 years old, the family moved to Akeley in northern Minnesota to the Golden Willow Farm. She graduated form Akeley High School and then attended Bemidji Normal School and graduated with a teacher's degree in 1931. She then taught in a oneroom schoolhouse and lived in a log cabin in Thorp, MN.
In 1933, she married Walter H. "Bud" Pearson. In 1934 with new baby Beryl in tow, they headed west via Chicago, Texas and Los Angeles. They settled in Everett, WA, where they lived for the next 35 years. During these years, she taught school at Baker Heights and later Cascade Terrace nursery schools, which were part of the Everett School District.
In 1969, they moved to McKee's Beach in Stanwood, into their retirement home, which they built. In 1983, her husband, Bud, of 50 years, passed away. She continued to make that her home until 1992, when she moved back to Everett and lived there until 2008, when she moved to Lynnwood to be closer to her son Bill.
Over the years, she had enjoyed traveling in a truck and camper, her church, genealogy and several other clubs and activities. She has been the matriarch of the family for many years, also the family historian.
Beryl is survived by her grandchildren: Robert "Bob" Spoelstra (Carolyn) of Wenatchee, Judy Spoelstra of Lynnwood, David Pearson (Esther) of Las Vegas and Michele Kennedy (Eric) of Las Vegas; and eight great-grandchildren.
We would like to give special thanks to Bill and Elaine Johnson of Cascadian Place Retirement Home, Dorothy Burke, Marie and Verna of the Glen's Adult Family Home, Beth, Sonu, Karen, Sandra and Penny of Hospice and Dr. Finn, Velda, Lisa and Diane of The Everett Clinic, and many friends and family, who have been very kind to her over the years with phone calls, cards and flowers.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., June 27, at Solie Funeral Home Chapel, with a reception to follow in the Fireside Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Suite 500, Everett, WA 98201-3585.
Arrangements under the care of Solie Funeral Home.
