Pearl Marie Holmes

HOLMES, Pearl Marie

1932 - 2021

Pearl Marie Holmes was born to Doret and Andres Bengston on June 28, 1932, in Springdale community, Alberta. She grew up and spent her childhood in the Westrose area. The same area in which she would meet and later marry her childhood friend Neil Holmes. Walking down the aisle on December 18, 1953, their love continued to prosper for 63 years. During this time their marriage brought about three children, Gary (Colleen) Holmes, Darlene (David) Bunney, and Clifford (Betty) Holmes.

Living in various communities for many years together, Pearl and Neil would later settle in the Town of Valleyview in 1963. All the while, Pearl would work many distinctive jobs to support the family income; her utmost favourite being cooking in the cafe. 

Pearl took great pride in tending to her beautiful gardens and flowers. Her large gatherings of strawberries and raspberries were always ripe for the picking, and her beautiful flowers sprinkled throughout flower beds across the yard.

Pearl always enjoyed having company come to visit. Plenty of travellers had Pearl and Neil’s as a regular stop for coffee, homemade snacks and even meals. A steady flow of people would come and go regularly all day, every day. These visits continued onto the weekends at the rodeos, where cowboys came to visit and have coffee, snacks or meals. Everyone, no matter the situation, enjoyed paying a visit to Neil and Pearl at the old bus. Pearl not only was the camp cook but also raced a chariot with her team of palominos: Dino and Creamo. Despite working very hard to cook and clean for her family and friends, Pearl never regretted a second of it.

In her spare time, Pearl enjoyed knitting and crocheting for her friends and family: she would make mittens, scarves, and toques for winter, alongside other goods such as blankets, and teapot cozies. Pearl loved to sit on her little wood chair by the big bay window and knit, watching the traffic drive by. However, what Pearl loved most was spending time with her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great great grandkids. Each time she would make their favourite treats, such as poppycock, raisin jumbo cookies, rhubarb crisp and Christmas pudding.

Family holidays were her favorite time, seeing everyone she loved smiling and merry. These moments in which everyone was happy together were the moments she cherished the most.

Upon her passing, Pearl left her final wishes: “Remember me the way I was. Love you all.”

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Usona Agriculture Curling Complex. All family and friends are welcome.  

Pearl will be buried with her husband, son and great-granddaughter at the Valleyview and District Cemetery at 12:00pm on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Family and close friends are welcome.