Pearl was born in Mosgiel District and attended Mosgiel and Archie schools. She worked on the farm with her mother and father, William and Elsie Stonehouse.
She became a loving and devoted mother to her daughter, Heather, in 1954. They all moved to Elkhorn in 1957 where she worked as morning and night dispatcher at the Post Offi ce until 1966.
Pearl worked for Garney Andrews at the Municipal Office with insurance and Auto Pac until his death in 1974.The business was moved to Pearl’s home on Foxford Avenue as Stonehouse Agencies. It continued there until 1990 at which time it was sold to Andrew Agencies Ltd. in Virden. Pearl’s retirement was spent in her yard and her garden.
She was very community oriented and served on many committees. She was voted Citizen of the Year in 2013. Pearl will be greatly missed by her daughter Heather (Don) McElroy; grandsons Brett (Sarah) and Wade; great-grandsons Lucas and Dana.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Frances Stonehouse, her special nieces and nephews: Mardelle, Karen, Dwight, Calvin, Ed, Barry, Bryan, Sandra, Janis, Darwin, Tracy, Mervin, Fred, Kevin and their spouses and families, whom she loved very much.
Pearl was predeceased by her brothers Alex (Gladys), Dan (Mary) and Frank; and by her sisters Mary (William)Watson, Teanie (Athol) Moore and Bessie (Dale) McLean.
A celebration of Pearl's life was held at the Elkhorn United Church on May 23, with internment at Elkhorn cemetery.
A Great Mother by Kerry Conn:
As I look upon my children, I wish that I will be,
As great a mother to my children as my mother was to me.
She always knows what to say, and what I need to hear;
She always told me how it was, so simple and so clear.
As mother and daughters do, we'd argue and we'd fi ght
But though the tears and drama I love her with all my might.
She looked the same every day I remember from when I'm young;
A few lines and wrinkles there, but still my beautiful mum.
She's always been so wise, she's always been so strong
She's always been so stubborn and occasionally she's wrong.
My mum is sure not perfect, as I'm sure I am not, too
But mums know you inside out and advised you as you grew.
Now days have come and time has passed where mum is growing weak
And we don't know the words to help and the right words to speak
For losing mums there is no book or instructions what to say
I hope I say the words right to help her on her way.
For I love you mum, you are my world. I thank you with all my heart.
I don't know why you have to go and why we have to part,
But know you 're loved and cherished and we're all here for you
And know you're going to a place where people love you too.
