PEARSON, Lena (Lee)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Lena Pearson, 90, born Jan. 5, 1920, in Canada, passed away May 17, 2010, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2010, at Heritage Memorial Park. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, May 19, 2010 Obituary: Lena Pope Pearson Lena "Lee" Pope Pearson was born Jan. 5, 1920, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Leontina and Constantine Pope. She was called home to be with the Lord May 17, 2010, and is predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, John, her parents and her brother, Peter. Lee was raised in a Greek Orthodox tri-lingual family, speaking Romanian at home, French at school, and English outside of school. She became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. when she married the love of her life, John. They lived in Minnesota, Maine and Florida during John's military career. They started their family in St. Paul, Minn., after John's separation from the Army Air Corps and subsequently moved to Southern California where they raised their three children. Upon John's retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, they moved to Prescott Valley in 1973. Lee was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Burbank, Calif. She was a devoted mother and homemaker. She enjoyed bowling and playing bingo with John. But her true passion was playing bridge, earning her Life Master status from the American Contract Bridge League in 1987. Wherever she traveled, she would manage to find a bridge game. A good game of Kings in the Corner was enjoyed up until the very end. Lee is survived by her three children, Rita (Roger) Brammer of Prescott, Bruce (Penny) Pearson of Palo Verde and Steven (Michele) Pearson of Prescott. She enjoyed her eight grandchildren, Lisa Larson, Brianne Pearson, Brenda Powers, Nicole, Rachel, and John Pearson, and Ryan and Ashley Pearson. In addition, she has three great-grandchildren, Anika Larson, Braden Pearson and Audrey Powers. Lee is also survived by her nephews, William (Mary Ann) Pope and Daniel (Dianna) Pope, both of Quebec, Canada; her sister-in-law Marlys Pearson-Purdy; and her nieces Susan Pletkovich, Nancy Purdy-Swenson, and Michele Karpesh. The family would like to thank Bob and Linda Smith of Golden Leaf Care Home in Prescott Valley, the staff at The Peridot and Granite Mountain Home Health Care for their loving care of mom and dad. A private family graveside service will be Thursday, May 20. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Meals on Wheels, 9360 Manzanita Circle, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Hampton Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements. Information provided by survivors.