PEARL L. PATTERSON
TARPON SPRINGS, FL AND ABBOT - Pearl L. Patterson, 81, widow of Vern A. Patterson of Abbot, died October 28, 2009, at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, Tarpon Springs, Florida, following a brief illness. Her daughters, Brenda Larson and Cathy Grant and grandson Shandy Larson and his wife Kasia were with her when she peacefully fell asleep in death. She had been a resident at Tarpon Bayou Center for the past nine years. Pearl was born in Greenville, Maine, December 13, 1927 and was the daughter of Charles H. Cann and Marjory (MacDougal) Cann of Guilford.

She grew up in Guilford and attended schools there with her two brothers and two sisters. She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Myrtle Woodson, Shirley Judkins, and brother, Alden Cann.

Pearl was a beautiful person; she raised five children of her own and half the neighborhood kids. She loved kids; there were always plenty of them around. She was a great cook and loved to make cakes, cookies, fudge, doughnuts and our favorite Pineapple Whip; we all had a sweet tooth. Oh, how I miss her yeast bread. Walking home from (Abbot) school, when I got to the Post Office I could smell her fresh baked bread. She always had something baking in the oven.

Pearl suffered a stroke many years ago, in fact, the year my dad retired. He took care of her until his death in 2000. She came to Florida knowing she would be living in a nursing facility; she adjusted quickly and became a hit in her new home. They all called her Pearly and loved her good nature and smiling face. She brought them so much joy, as they did her. "She will be missed so much, she is our family" said one staff member. She loved Dum-Dum Lollipops and always carried a bag of them in her wheelchair. She shared with everyone. The day after she died, all of the staff and residents were walking around with Dum-Dum's in their mouths in remembrance of Pearl.

She is survived by her brother, Seldon ( Harvey )Cann and his wife Brenda from Indiana, a sister-in-law, Diana (McEwen) Patterson from Skowhegan, one son, John Patterson and his wife Ramona from Abbot; daughters, Linda Drinkwater and her husband Jim from Guilford, Patricia Barnes from Arkansas, Brenda Larson and her husband Skip from Florida, Cathy Grant and her husband Timmy from Arizona, and one very special niece, Bonnie Brawn from Dover-Foxcroft, who never forgot a birthday, Christmas, or Mother's Day. She had eight grandchildren, John Patterson of Guilford, Lori Bell of Dexter, Richard Barnes of Arkansas, Bobbie-Jean Phillips of Arkansas, Michaela Larson of Florida, Shannon Larson of Florida, T.J. Grant from Arizona and Brianne Ryan from Arizona; 3 step-grandsons, Chris, Jamie and Tom Drinkwater from Guilford, 26 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service in the spring so all family members can attend. A newspaper notice will be published by Crosby & Neal Funeral Home in Guilford informing you of the date and time. Interment will be at the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford.

For an online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com

Graveside committal services for Pearl L. Patterson, 81, who died October 28, 2009, will be held 11 AM, Friday, July 9, 2010, at the Lawn Cemetery in Guilford. A gathering for family and friends will be held at the community center at Thayer Parkway in Dover-Foxcroft following the service. For a complete obituary and online guest register, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.