Obituary of Verna Evelyn Pearson

Verna Evelyn Pearson, wife of the late Kenneth L. Pearson, died peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Embassy Hall, Quispamsis.  Verna was born Arvida, Quebec, a daughter of the late Elmer and Dorothy (Taylor) Cole.

With her husband who was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Verna moved frequently across Canada, until eventually returning to New Brunswick, where she and Ken spent their retirement years.  She was always active in life on the Bases where they lived, sometimes working in the Bank, at Eatons and Woodwards Department Store, or looking after children.  Having had both her father and brother serve in the Battle of Hong Kong, in her retirement, Verna was very active in the Hong Kong Veteran’s Commemorative Association, serving as Atlantic Treasurer.  An avid quilter, she designed and donated a quilt to the Hong Kong Veteran’s Museum in New Richmond, QC, and received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her volunteer service to the Hong Kong Veterans. 

Verna and Ken enjoyed making crafts, especially small doll furniture which they also upholstered.  They also enjoyed golfing and playing darts, where Verna went on to win a North American championship at a Darts Tournament in Las Vegas.

Verna was a caregiver at heart, giving up her time to stay with both family and friends who needed special love.  She was involved with hospice care for the ANA VETS, and enjoyed teaching others the skills she had honed through the years.  She was also an avid reader.

Verna is survived by her children, Heather O’Neil (Jack) of Victoria, BC, Rick Pearson (Cathy) of Edmonton, AB, Brenda Pearson (Jules Jones) of Quebec, QC, and twins David Pearson (Deb Sayese) of Penticton, BC, and Deb Maltby (Stephen) of Calgary, AB; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters Gladys Parisi of Oregon, Shirley Hicks of Moncton, Betty Mason of Sussex, and Marjorie Arsenault of Sussex; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Verna was from a large family, and was predeceased by brothers Donald, Robert, Rod, Frank, Philip, and Bliss Cole; and by sisters Alma Cole, Isabel Masters, and Beatrice Anderson.

Visitation will take place at Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 from 9:30-11:00am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am from Wallace Community Chapel.  Interment will take place at a later date in St. John’s Anglican Cemetery, Highfield.  For those who wish, remembrances to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, or any charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.  Online condolences and remembrances may be placed at www.wallacefuneralhome.com.

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