WOITO, Pearl

Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener after a short illness. She is survived by her loving daughter Dana and her son-in-law Kevin Donelson, her sister Leona (Toots) of Englehart, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She is pre-deceased by her husband Eddie (1974), her companion Real Corriveau (1989), her parents Emma and Herb Grozelle, her brother Lloyd (Sharkey), her sister Bernice, her sister-in-law Verna, and her brothers-in-law Hank and Murl.

Pearl was born February 7, 1931 in North Bay.  She began her career at the Royal Bank, where her natural affinity for people and her good nature made her well-known and much loved by her many customers over twenty-five years.  She then spent several years working in different office positions and ended her career with over a decade at Wasi Variety in Callander, a role that again allowed her to put her people skills to good use.

Pearl spent the last several months as a resident of Beechwood Manor Retirement Home in Waterloo, where she moved to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law.  Pearl enjoyed her home at Beechwood, but her heart remained in Callander, the home of her dearest memories and most cherished relationships.  She enjoyed the many pleasures of small-town life in Callander—summer by the lake, corn roasts, and singing country music with Eddie and their friends.  She was a fun-loving aunt to her nieces and nephews and a caring and generous friend to many.  She made friends easily and everyone genuinely enjoyed her company.  She was loved. Pearl saved her greatest love and pride for her daughter Dana.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Drs. Fatima, Patel, Mahngar, and Upenieks of Grand River Hospital, nurse Martha Karn, and the wonderful nursing staff of 8B (especially Jelena, Kristen, Lindsay, Katie, Sarah, and Ted) for their compassionate care of Pearl in her final days.  Special thanks also to Dr. Towes and the nurses and staff of Beechwood Manor for making Pearl welcome, comfortable, and cared for in her new home.  We are also deeply grateful to Carole and Marcel Levesque, Denny Levesque, Ginny and George Onley, and her neighbours and friends for helping Pearl maintain her independence in her home in Callander for the past several years.

The family will receive visitors at McGuinty Funeral Home, 591 Cassells Street, North Bay, on Thursday, September 25 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m.  Prayers and remembrances at 8 p.m.  The mass of resurrection will be held at St. Alphonsus Church in Callander on Friday, September 26 at 10 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.