OLD TOWN and BANGOR – Our dear mother Pearl died peacefully March 22, 2013, with her children at her side at a Bangor hospital from complications of pneumonia, two months before turning 89. Mama was born May 11, 1924, in Caribou, the daughter of Levi and Mary Lebel.
She was predeceased by her parents, nine siblings; her first husband, Joseph, father of the 10 McDonald children; a son, Stephen; and her second husband, George “Papa.” Her surviving children from the oldest to the youngest are Doreen White and her husband, Dane, of Old Town, Marcella McDonald of Bangor, Roderick McDonald of Bangor, Michael McDonald of Orono, Diane York and her husband, Greg, of Fairfield, Tina Harris and her husband, Clayton, of Grand Junction, Colo., Judy Desmond and her husband, Jim, of Cape Cod, Mass., Douglas McDonald of Las Vegas, Cecilia Reeves of Virginia Beach, Va., Levi Surette of Virginia Beach, Va., and Paul Surette and his wife, Susan, of Ocala, Fla. Mama also leaves behind 28 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Also many, many dear nieces and nephews had such positive things to say about mama and will miss her greatly.
At age 85, Mama was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was very pleased and proud to be one. She enjoyed attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall as well as to assemblies and conventions semi-annually to be united with old friends and to meet new ones. Our sister Marcella cared for her every need as her caretaker for the past eight years. They frequented the Dollar Stores and she was always ready to go out to eat. At age 37 Mama was widowed with 10 children from ages 3 months to 12 years after our father died suddenly. She had the strength and determination to bring us up together and make a happy home for us. She made us clothes for special occasions and mittens by the dozen. We would come home from school to the smell of fresh homemade bread and doughnuts. She went on to marry George Surette who loved her dearly as well as us kids and George’s three sons, Arthur, George and Roger. They went on to have two sons together to bring our family to 17. When we were all home it would not be unusual to have Mama along with us roller skating, playing baseball or swimming. After Papa died 11 years ago, we tried to fulfill his wishes to take care of Mama. Mama had a special place in her heart for each of her children. She was proud of their accomplishments. She would at times be a little firm with her opinion, but we always knew where she stood and most of the time she was right, and we respected her all the more.
A brief viewing was provided Saturday evening, March 23, for family and close friends. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Old Town Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1048 Main St., Old Town. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Milo, at a date to be announced in the spring. Notes of condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com.
Pearl Marie McDonald Surette
