Carolyn June Pearl
March 12, 1936 – March 31, 2012
Carolyn June Pearl, longtime Bainbridge Island resident, died on March 31st after a yearlong illness, surrounded by loving family members.
Carolyn was born in Seattle in 1936 to Virginia and Irvin Baltzer and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, she spent two happy years with her mother and grandparents in Spokane while her father served in the US Navy. Much of her youth was spent on sailboats, as Carolyn helped her family build the 50’ “Blue Jacket” on the Oakland Estuary.
At 17, Carolyn sailed in the Transpacific Yacht Race and she never forgot the feeling of spending hours alone on “watch” in the middle of the ocean while the rest of the crew slept down below. She loved to tell stories about leaning out over the bowsprit to watch dolphins jump alongside her. Sailing remained close to Carolyn’s heart and she relished any opportunity to get out on the water. She collected sailing memorabilia and had beautiful model sailing ships and examples of antique scrimshaw and marlinspike seamanship.
Sailing introduced Carolyn to her husband, Richard Pearl, and they were married in 1955. They raised two daughters, Amy and Sarah, in the Bay Area. When their daughters moved to the Pacific Northwest, they followed and bought a house in the Hidden Cove neighborhood in 1991. Carolyn took great pleasure in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, and she tried never to miss a graduation, cello recital, horse show, or any other function involving her family.
Carolyn was a talented artist and designer, which showed in everything she did, from drawing with her grandchildren to designing and decorating her homes, to knitting beautiful gifts. She traveled extensively and often treated her family to delightful European vacations.
Everyone who knew Carolyn appreciated her deep love of all animals. She thoroughly enjoyed her dogs, and was an accomplished dog trainer. Carolyn and her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Chaka, won several obedience championships together. She delighted in feeding birds in her garden, and explained that if she didn’t fill the feeders fast enough, “her” birds would look reprovingly at her through the kitchen window!
If anyone could get a baby to smile, Carolyn could. Children were drawn to Carolyn’s engaging face and sweet nature, and spending time with children brought her great joy. When her own girls were young, Carolyn was a foster mother, caring for newborn infants until they were adopted. Recently, Carolyn savored the time she spent with the newest member of her family, great-grandson Calder, who was born in the spring.
Carolyn was a loving, committed daughter, wife, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent and friend. She cherished her relationships with her family and many dear friends, old and new. Carolyn will be sorely missed by us all. She is survived by her daughters, Amy Pearl (Kurt Alameda) of Portland, and Sarah Pearl (Barry Sacks) of Bainbridge Island, grandchildren, Megan Alameda (Burke Smejkal) of Baker City, Oregon, Taylor Alameda of Portland, Elliot and Caroline (Carly) Pearl-Sacks of Bainbridge Island, and great-grandchild, Calder Smejkal-Alameda of Baker City. Her husband, Richard Pearl, and her grandson, Ian Pearl-Sacks, preceded her in death.
Carolyn was buried at the family plot at the Port Blakely Cemetery. A memorial service for family and friends will take place in June and anyone who loved Carolyn or her family will be welcome.
TRIBUTE Paid Notice
