Pearl Kaczmarek

7/11/1931 – 1/18/2015

Pearl was born to Catherine and Paul Pogorzelski in Chicago on 7/11/1931. Pearl was a loving wife to Donald and loving mother to Steven (partner William Glewicz) and Rev. David, TOR. Pearl was a loving sister to eleven siblings and loving aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Her family and close friends called her Theresa, and Saint Theresa was a favorite saint of hers. She was also a doting “gramma” to Steve and Bill’s cairn terriers Yuki, and the late Scruffy, and their newest family member Oliver, who liked to give his gramma plenty of scratch time with him. In fact, in her last week, Oliver spent a little time in her bed giving TLC.

Pearl was a generous, loving woman. She always thought of others before her own welfare. She was a woman of great faith and found great comfort in the rosary. She supported her two sons in all their endeavors – Steve as an independent contractor and then content publishing manager at Microsoft, and David as a Franciscan brother and priest. She embraced her sons’ close friends as her own sons, most notably Steven’s 29 year partner William, and David’s and our family’s close friend Rev. Art Ysmael, S.S.D. both of whom she and dad considered sons. She also loved, and was greatly loved and supported by, her extended family on William’s side. On Christmas day she enjoyed seeing everyone and wishing all a happy Christmas and healthy New Year over Skype.

Pearl and Don were married on April 30, 1955. They celebrated 57 years together. In 2012, they moved to the west coast to be closer to family and settled happily in Bothell, Washington. Don passed away on his 82nd birthday in 2012 just 3 months after settling in. Mom soldiered on in her indomitable way and made her home there. She was much loved, and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

We loved Mom and she loved us. Mom, you will be missed!! Say “Hi” to Dad from us and dance many a polka together!