Pearl Beduhn passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 11, 2009, after a brief illness. Her husband, Max, and her daughters were by her side. Pearl was born in Astoria, OR and grew up in Kellogg, ID. She moved to the Yakima Valley in the early 1940's, and she met her husband Max in 1967. They were married October 16th of that same year.
Mom was an avid lover of books, and spent her time reading every chance she got. She believed in the power of words as a builder of knowledge, and instilled a love of the English language in her children, as well. The daily crossword and a cup of coffee was her morning ritual.
Mom loved to go for long drives up in the mountains to look for animals and see the wildflowers. Many a weekend was spent picnicking at Rimrock Lake or up the Little Naches River area. Her favorite camping spot was up the American River, where she always took a good supply of critter food for the chipmunks and squirrels who frequented her hearth. She also loved to fish, and enjoyed the friendly "competition" of who caught the first fish, the biggest and the most. Those family campouts and fishing trips will be a favorite memory of her kids and grandkids for years to come.
Mom always enjoyed gardening, and she had a green thumb we all envied. Her flowers were a favorite topic of many a letter she wrote, and pictures of her "posies" were usually included. Her home always had a plethora of houseplants, and she absolutely loved Christmas cacti and begonias. Her backyard borders were filled with sentimental rosebushes, lilacs, irises and peonies. As the years passed, her gardening moved to containers, and she enjoyed sitting on the patio and watching the hummingbirds zip in and out, checking them for nectar.
Mom and Dad got to make their dream trip together in their motorhome. They traveled all across Canada and up into Alaska in the summer of 2000. Good times and lots of laughter were shared with their travel-mates, Bob & Judi Tucker. Oh, how she loved to tell the tales of that trip.
Mom was a loving woman, who always remembered a birthday, anniversary or holiday. She always made us feel special with her cards and letters. Her kind words and thoughtfulness for a family member or friend is something she will be remembered for. She was the family historian, and nobody was ever forgotten. Mom was a very creative person, and for years she spent time crocheting blankets or other items to send as gifts to many people who came into her life. If she could see it and touch it, she could recreate it in intricate detail and vibrant colors.
Mom was never a person for grandeur or hoopla, and she never wanted us to fuss over her. She was an independent woman, and had her own ideals in mind when she asked that no services be held at the time of her passing. Instead, she left us with a favorite quote that she had saved from years ago: Do not stand at my grave, I am not there. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on the snow. I am the sunlight on the ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning, hush. I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night.
Author unknown
Pearl was preceded in death by both her parents, a brother and her oldest son, Gary Lee Meyer.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Maxwell Beduhn; her daughter and son-in-law Melony and Greg Mozzillo of Aumsville, OR; her daughter and son-in-law Kim and Allen Risenhoover of Pistol River, OR; her son Steven Meyer of Spokane, WA; her son and daughter-in-law Mike and Rose Meyer of Yakima, WA; her step-son Bart Beduhn of Seattle, WA and step-daughter Leslie Beduhn of Seattle, WA. Her grandchildren include Heather Bailey, Gary Hatten III, Jake Hatten, Jeni Risenhoover, Matt Meyer and Mandi Moultray. Great grandchildren include Nathan, Alyssa, Hunter, Branson, Isabelle and Allison.
A celebration of Pearl's life will be at a later date. Valley Hills Funeral Home is entrusted with cremation arrangements.
|
|
