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 Pearl Bassett 1921-2008 Pearl was born Paraska Grychuk in a small village in Poland on August 10, 1921. In 1938 at the age of 16, Pearl immigrated to Canada with her mother Mary and brothers Frank and Andy. They crossed the Atlantic from England on the Cunard Line’s Ship “Astoria”. They came across Canada by railway, re-uniting with Pearl’s father Nick who had came ahead years earlier to get established in their new homeland. In her teenage years, Pearl worked as a nanny for the Tembourg family on the Kiskatinaw River. Pearl learned English from Mrs. Tembourg, and their family remained friends. A young Harold Bassett would walk miles through the valley to court Pearl. They were married March 27, 1942 and ranched in the Upper Cutbank area. In the early years of their marriage Pearl and Harold fostered six nieces and nephews before starting their own family of two sons: David and Garry . Pearl was best known for her kind heart and generous ways. Pearl would soon have her table full with cake, cookies, veggies from her huge garden, and best of all her homemade bread. Her pantry was always full with home canning including fruit, wild berries, and game meat. As age took its toll Harold and Pearl migrated into town, residing at Birchview Manor. On June 24, 1997 with great sadness Pearl lost her loving husband and best friend Harold after fifty-five years of wonderful marriage. Due to ill health Pearl moved to Pouce Coupe Care Home in the fall of 2007. Thanks to the staff for the loving care. Pearl passed away peacefully on August 26, 2008 at the age of 87 years. She led a full and wonderful life and would not want her passing to be a time of sadness. Thanks to Doug and Sharon Hagar who were there to check on Pearl, Marg Hall for the visits, Marg was one of the Tembourg kids, to Clare and Home Support, Lynn Ross for taking Pearl on many tours of the countryside and for the goodies and flowers, Carol McConnell for the taxi service to and from the Co-op, and all the people in the apartment for the visits. Thank you to Willa Fullerton, who was Pearl’s soul mate and caregiver through her final years. Pearl often commented how blessed she was to have Willa in her life. No words can express the deep gratitude of the family to Willa for the care and companionship she gave her Aunty Pearl through her last years. Thank you Willa, you are truly an Angel on Earth. Pearl was predeceased by husband Harold Bassett, parents Nick and Mary Grychuck and brothers Frank and Andy Grychuck. Pearl leaves to mourn her sons: David and Garry Bassett; grandchildren: Marci (Martin) Vanderzwan, Malcolm Bassett and Wendy Bassett; great-grandchildren: Morgan and Makayla Vanderzwan, Tannen and Tatum Bassett and Hunter Bondarchuck and many nieces and nephews. Pearl was cremated and a Celebration of Life social was held August 31, 2008 at the Dawson Creek Seniors Hall. Inurnment of Pearl’s ashes took place in her husband Harold’s grave site at the Brookside Cemetery in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Thanks to Rick Coombs for the DVD slide show and Les Townsend for reading the eulogy, and to Bergeron Funeral home for the special help with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation. If we have missed thanking anyone please know that you are appreciated. |
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