Pearl L. (Sayers) Whitehill

LOWVILLE - Pearl L. Whitehill, 89, of Lowville, died Saturday, November 26, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica.  Born Pearl Lucille Sayers on August 29, 1927 in Ryegate, Vermont, she was the eldest of eight children of Fred and Helen Sayers.  Pearl was an excellent student in school.  In September 1946, at the age of 18, she married Alton Ivan Whitehill.  She was predeceased by her husband in 2008, and her son, Richard, shortly thereafter.

She is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Susan and Keith Ricker of Scottsdale, AZ; Nancy  and Freddy Perez of Silver Springs, MD; Connie and Ron Pridell of Lowville, NY; and one step-daughter, Evelyn  and Jim Burtnett of Silver Spring, MD;  nine grandchildren, Aaron Ricker, Kyle and Karen Ricker of Scottsdale, AZ; Jacquelyn Perez, Nicole Perez and partner, Jonathan Romero of Silver Spring, MD; Tyler Pridell, Rachel Pridell, and Shawn Pridell of Lowville; Pamela and Don Dressell, and their children, Ocean, Chloe, and Jet of Mount Airy, MD; and great-grandson, Nicholas Romero; several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Pearl was a very willing and strong partner to Ivan in all of their ventures, dairy farming, building multiples homes, etc.  She was beside him every step of the way, and she loved it.  She loved being part of a team, before it was cool to be a “team player”.  Pearl possessed a very strong, positive energy and always looked for the silver lining in any dark cloud, and she always found some good in everyone and everything.  She was very proud of her family and all of their accomplishments.

Pearl was a very loving and creative, positive soul.  She loved sewing, and she mastered the invisible zipper before anyone knew what it was!  She loved her family, and enjoyed nothing more than having everyone get together.  Her annual trips to visit family and friends were a big highlight for her.  Pearl loved playing cards, and she very much enjoyed being a member of the Lowville Home Den, and getting together with the ladies for their monthly outings.  In her later years, she developed her talents creating beautiful greeting cards and hand towels, which she gifted to friends and family.

Pearl was never so happy as when the whole family was together, preferably all working on a project – didn’t matter what it was.

It was such a blessing to have the pleasure of knowing Pearl.  Pearl was a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  Pearl’s extreme work ethic has taught generations to be tenacious, resilient and to persevere through life’s challenges.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A gathering at the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church in South Ryegate, VT will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2016.  The funeral service will follow the gathering at 3:30 p.m. at the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church.  Burial will be in Pinehurst Cemetery, South Ryegate, VT.  Condolences may be shared with the family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com .

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