MARY PEARL CRAW (RICE) THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

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MARY PEARL CRAW (RICE) THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD Peacefully on the late afternoon of Saturday, October 25, 2003 Pearl Craw, wife of the late Don Craw Sr. passed away at the West Park Manor Personal Care Home at the age of 99 years and six months after a lengthy and eventful life. She leaves behind to rejoice in a life well fulfilled her only son Don and wife Marielle, who she always regarded and treated as the daughter she never had, and their three children, Ken (girlfriend Catherine Shaley) of Vancouver, David (Angie), and Michelle (Gio) Lagadi all of Winnipeg. She was also very proud to have lived to see her great-grandson Riley Craw. Also surviving Pearl are her sister Ethelwyn Nyman of Montreal and niece Violet Moggach and her family of Hamiota. Pearl was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years in November of 1993, her parents, Emma (Johnson) and Melville Rice; and her elder sister Diane (Boyer) and Dianes son Phil Boyer (Dorothy). She also leaves behind numerous relatives in the Eastern Townships of Quebec as well as all the wonderful friends and acquaintances she and Don Sr. made over the years that they resided in Norwood, at the Foresters Residence on Boulton Bay, and her most recent friends at the West Park Manor Personal Care Home. Pearl was born in 1904 in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, near the towns of Richmond and Kingsbury, of United Empire Loyalist stock who had emigrated to Canada from the United States at the time of the American Revolution. Although never waving from her staunch stand as a true Winnipegger Pearl always spoke fondly of her early years in this beautiful area of Quebec. Her family moved to Winnipeg shortly after Pearls birth where her father, a railway construction worker, was employed in building railway bridges. When four years later he lost his life while building the bridges at what is now the Winnipeg Forks area Pearl, along with her mother and two sisters, returned to live on the farm with an uncle in the Eastern Townships. Returning to Winnipeg for junior high and high school, Pearl graduated from St. Johns High School and proceeded straight to work at the Alsip Brick and Tile Company, a company she proudly and loyally served until her retirement 50 years later. Over the years she valued the friendships of her many associates at Alsips and members of the building trades who dealt with the company. As was the case with her late husband, Pearl had to forego a higher education which she had always desired, to help bring money into the home. However, this didnt faze an indomitable spirit who had to overcome a serious case of polio contracted when only a year and a half old. Pearl embarked on courses leading to a Licentiate from the Trinity College of London (L.T.C.L.) in Elocution. On attaining this degree she became one of only nine Canadians holding this title. With her mentor Jean Campbell she opened an elocution studio where she taught until she and Don were married in 1936. She took great pride in all her students but was especially proud to have taught public speaking to the young Douglas Rain. He had kindly phoned her and reminisced about the old days with her on one of his visits to perform at MTC. Pearl was herself a performer on early Winnipeg radio, taking part in a weekly half-hour radio play on the old station CKY which operated from the old MTS building on Sherbrook. As well, amateur stage was alive and well in the years between the two World Wars and Pearl, along with her peers and studio members, gave many concerts around the province in those years. After marriage Pearl confined her teaching to helpful tips to stage-shy would-be public speakers and her many years of service teaching lip reading to members of the Manitoba Association for the Deaf. Pearl was for many years a faithful member of Norwood United Church and the UC Womens Group. As getting out became more difficult Grandmas pride and joy became her three grandchildren and her visits with them. She was an excellent storyteller and from their childhood until they attained adulthood could always regale them with interesting narratives. Her time at Boulton Bay was brightened by the weekly "Coffee Clache" meetings and with the close lady friends she made over these years. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the loving and thoughtful care given Pearl by all the management and staff at the West Park Manor Personal Care Home during her many years there. Cremation has taken place followed by a private family interment in Elmwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 oclock on Saturday, November 8 in the Grace Hospital Chapel, 300 Booth Dr. Reception following at the Charleswood Legion, 6003 Roblin Blvd. Flowers are gratefully declined and a donation to The Manitoba Lung Association or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 01, 2003