Pearl Florence Cook Samuels

Pearl Florence Cook Samuels passed away peacefully the morning of July 10, 2017 at the age of 80 at Schnepp’s Senior Care in St. Louis. She was born on May 23, 1937 to Norman and Evelyn (Schott) Cook. She met George Samuels at the Crystal Roller Skating Rink in May 1955. He was from Texas, visiting his brother, and ended up staying here in Michigan and they were married October 1, 1955 at the Ithaca Church of God with Rev. Earl VanSipe officiating. The couple has a daughter, Yvonne (Kirk) Litwiller. Pearl has two grandchildren, Ben (Jodie) Litwiller and Cherise (Jeremy) Heinze. She also has 7 great grandchildren: Meghan, Doug (Mariah) and Zyen Litwiller, Colby and Audrey Heinze, and Shellbie and Shalie Shank. She has a great-great granddaughter, Angela, due to arrive in September. She also has a brother Paul (Johanne) and many nieces and nephews.

Pearl was mainly a homemaker. She did work in Ithaca at a laundromat/laundry service run by Jack McClow in the mid-1960’s, and did in-home babysitting in the 70’s for Scott, Alice and Arden Throop. She enjoyed crafts, crocheting (She made many afghans and baby blankets over the years), playing Euchre, listening to country music, her computer, reading and watching romantic movies.In the 80’s she and her husband took square dance lessons and spent many years going to dances and some state and national conventions. In their later years of marriage she and her husband enjoyed taking bus trips and spending time at the local Senior Center having lunch and playing cards. The couple loved traveling, especially to Texas to visit family. They also enjoyed a cruise and renting cabins in the upper peninsula with their daughter and her husband. After her husband passed away the Senior Center became her “second home.” She so enjoyed her time there, and the wonderful friends she made. She was a social butterfly, loved people and making friends. She was a collector of many things including snowmen, Noah’s Ark, and lighthouses.

After her husband’s passing she and her daughter enjoyed several trips together including renting a cabin in the upper peninsula, Disneyworld, and a cruise along with many short trips for her birthday each years. These trips created many wonderful lasting memories.

She was predeceased by her parents and her husband in January 2008.

Barden’s Funeral Home in Ithaca is handling arrangements. Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the funeral home and the funeral service will be 2pm Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the funeral home. Jo Jones will officiate and burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Activity Building in Ithaca.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.