GUILFORD – Sally Sue Pearson, 70, died Nov. 16, 2011, at Hibbard’s Nursing Home, Dover-Foxcroft. She was born June 12, 1941, in Dover-Foxcroft, the eldest of three children born to Harry Lewis Pearson and Lucy (Merritt) Pearson of Guilford.
When she was an infant, the family moved to Mapleton, where she could run through potato fields and play with the horses. Sally Sue attended Guilford schools and graduated from Piscataquis Community High School, class of 1959, and the University of Maine, Orono, class of 1963. She was active in sports, drama and public speaking, winning first place in the state competition multiple years. On the senior’s class trip to New York in 1959 she attended the Broadway version of “West Side Story,” a lasting memory for her. In summers during school Sally Sue worked at Hardwood Products Co., Guilford. Upon graduation she was a teacher at Harmony High School for two years before moving to Massachusetts. Sally Sue lived in Cambridge, Mass., and worked in Boston for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. from 1966 until 1996, retiring as the financial controls coordinator for the Group Pension Financial Management Group. While living in Massachusetts she took advantage of all the area had to offer, including public transportation. Sally Sue enjoyed the arts, attending concerts and shows and frequent visits to the many museums and galleries. She was a fan of local sports, enjoying occasional Red Sox games at Fenway, but more frequently attending Boston Garden, where for a time she was a season ticket holder for the Boston Bruins. Sally Sue returned to Guilford in 1996 to care for her ill mother and stayed in the “old Pearson Farm” on Back Abbot Road after her mother passed away. Sally Sue, now referred to as Sally or Sal, finally learned to drive, public transportation not being what it was in Boston. She became active in things most dear to her and that she enjoyed. She spent a lot of time working out back in the woods. She belonged to PETS – Prevent Euthanasia Through Sterilization and was their bookkeeper, rescuing animals, helping to locate homes for strays, mostly cats, caring for as many as 15 at one point. She did work for Guilford Library, the Historical Society, worked on the Budget Committee and was involved in anything where she thought she could help.
Sally was predeceased by her parents, Harry Lewis Pearson and Lucy Philbrick (Merritt) Pearson; and a very special cousin, Sharon O’Connell. Sally is survived by her two brothers, Fredrick Alan Pearson and his wife, Patty, and their son, Antonio Solazzi, of Arizona, and David Pearson of Randolph and his five children, Harry Lewis Pearson and his wife, Tamar, and daughter, Shirley, of New Jersey, Kristin Louise White and her husband, Jody, and children, Cody Destine and Lily Angel, of Arkansas, Jason Dane Pearson of Augusta, Hayley Constance Pearson and John William Pearson, both of Gardiner; two aunts of the 27 aunts and uncles whose company she greatly enjoyed, Theda Chamberlain of Rumford and Thelma Merritt of Bangor; and a long list of cousins. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Crosby & Neal, 21 Oak St., Guilford, with Pastor Stephen Dean officiating. Friends may call noon until the time of service. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Elm Street, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to PETS, Box 912, Guilford, ME 04443. For more information or to sign an online guest book, go to
www.CrosbyNeal.com.