The home in which she was born did not have electricity until 1935,…and never had an indoor bathroom, but they were ‘very fancy.’ They would walk out the backdoor, right into the garage, and there the bathroom was built into the corner. With no running water, they had to carry the water from a flowing well near her Uncle’s house. In the winter their dog, Teddy, would pull the sled to carry the water. She was truly her Dad’s boy, as her job every night was to fill the wood box. School for her was in a one room schoolhouse. All of her friends were also her cousins as they came from a large family.
As a service to the country, her Dad went to Greenland to help build airbases. In the early 40’s, her family moved to Dearborn for her father’s job. They had to live in a motel as most apartments would take dogs, but not accept children. They ended up buying a trailer that became their home.
She spoke of waiting 8 hours in line to catch the car ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City, before the Mackinac Bridge was built,…which her grandfather was convinced would never be built.
In 1946, her family moved to Warren and lived at Eckert’s Trailer Park. At the age of 15, she met the love of her life, Bill, in school at the Victory Building. Her high school activities were choir, student council, and she was also a cheerleader. In 1951, Warren High School opened and they had to carry their school desks and anything else they could, from the Victory Building to the new Warren High. Before graduation in 1952, she applied to the Michigan Bell Telephone company and was accepted. But she was elected to represent the Treasurer of the Township of Warren, and was ultimately asked to continue her work for the Township which she did for several years.
On November 7, 1953, she married Bill, who was on leave from the U.S. Navy. They were married at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Warren, Michigan.
When he came home in 1955, they made their first home in Centerline. Shortly thereafter they purchased their ‘forever’ home in Warren.
Pearl was a housewife and a stay-at-home Mom, until after her children graduated.
She then went to work for the City of Warren as a Personal Property Assistant. She retired from the City in 1991.
Pearl and Bill traveled many miles with their U.S. passports as they have visited all 50 States and 75 countries.
Pearl lived a very full life as she was active in the Eastern Star, Warren Goodfellows, President of UCC Women of Metro Detroit, President of Women’s Fellowship at St. Paul Church, Women’s Fellowship Rummage Sale chairperson, part of the maintenance crew who cut grass and cleaned the church, worked in the church Nursery and a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Fish Dipper, and she lent her voice to the Church Choir. She planned and kept Warren High School Class of 1951 & 1952 records and reunions up to date. In her spare time, she enjoyed her Bible Studies, cooking and trying new recipes, walking, ceramics, loved reading, crocheting and doing all the family genealogy. She was an Elder of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and very proud of her heritage. Her Indian name was “Hiya.” Pearl was a very large part of planning and organizing her family reunions that have lasted for 60 years.
By far, the most important part of her life was the time she spent with her family and friends.
Her life has been blessed by wonderful parents, a husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.
Pearl is survived by her loving husband, Bill, of 67 years; two children, Kimberly (James) Hoover and William II (Robin) Carr; Five grandchildren, Billy Carr, Brett Carr, James (Cynthia) Hoover, Jennifer (Scott) Dulchavsky and Jeremy (Nicole) Hoover; Five great-grandchildren, Andrew and Emma Hoover, Alexis and Kendall Kufta and Addison Hoover; Sister. Kathleen Squires Jones.
She is preceded in death by her Father, Hiram Squires and her Mother, Elaine (Boyd) Squires.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to: St. Paul United Church of Christ, 31654 Mound Road, Warren, MI 48092.
Due to the Covid pandemic, a private service will be held. A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.
Please share memories of Pearl at her guest book below.
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