BELANGER Pearl Elizabeth (née Morrison)
April 5th, 1934 – November 28th, 2022
Our dear Pearl left us on Monday November 28th, 2022 in her 89th year. Beloved wife of her late husband Bud Belanger; much loved and honored mother of Pam (late Ron Jensen) of Elmvale, Susan of Barrie and Sharon of Vancouver; cherished grandmother of Jamie, Erin (Jamie), Melissa and Patrick (Emma); great grandmother of Ava and Isla; and proud aunt of her many nieces and nephews. Daughter of the late Donald and Margaret Morrison; dear sister of Mary Mowforth, Sarah (Sadie) Camick, John Morrison and her late brother Jim Morrison.
When she was born, her father likened her beauty with that of a pearl – and so she was known. Pearl was a spirited child – a raven-haired ‘Ann of Green Gables’ of Craighurst Ontario – curious and spontaneous with fierce determination. Eager to become an independent woman of the world, she moved from Craighurst for Barrie at age 15. There she met and started a life with her dear husband Bud, and together they graced the ‘Belanger corner’ of Patterson Road with laughter and love for almost 70 years.
Pearl had many joys in her life, but none so rewarding as raising her family, spending summers at the cottage on Harris Lake, travelling the world with Bud, and becoming an active member of St. John Vianney Parish. She was a member of the Catholic Woman’s League and sang in the church choir.
Pearl was proud of her career at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, and for over 25 years held almost every position in the RVH kitchen – including head cook and head baker. Often the first person to arrive in the early morning to turn on the lights, and to fire up the ovens for the day.
Those who love Pearl will remember her independent spirit and love of adventure, her infectious laugh, command of the kitchen (those butter tarts!), delight in a spirited game of cards, and her undying love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As one of her nieces so aptly wrote, “She was one unforgettable force of nature”.
She had a gift for making people feel special and putting people at ease with her engaging, friendly manner. Pearl loved to talk, but as fate would have it, she lost her ability to express speech in the last years of her life – the effects of aphasia. As challenging as this was for her, she let go of the way things used to be and embraced her fate with humility and grace. She learned a new silent language of the heart, “There is an unspoken language. It comes from silence and can’t be heard by the ears, only by the heart.” -Baba Hari Dass
Thank you to her caregivers on the Aspen ward of Grove Park Home in Barrie – for the loving kindness shown to Pearl (her home for the past 9 months). Those there who were touched by her will not forget her open heart, her reaching hand, and her loving smile of gratitude.
Our dear Pearl is now with her beloved husband Bud, in a sunset on Harris Lake.
Pearl’s Funeral/Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2023.