Pearl led a long, intense and adventurous life. Born in 1922 on a farm near Wolcott, NY. As a nine-year-old she moved to Manitou Rd in Spencerport where she lived most of the rest of her life. She walked to school to a two-room schoolhouse at the corner of Manitou Rd, and Ridge Rd that was next to the Hoosick Hill Cemetery and then attended Spencerport High School for two years before having to leave to help on the family farm during the depression. Later, Pearl worked at Kodak on Ridge Road and Lake Ave where she met her future husband, Clifford Neumann. Clifford was drafted into WWII and served in the Army Airforce. When the war was over, Pearl married Clifford at Concord Lutheran Church.
They built a house on Manitou Rd just South of Ogden Parma Town Line Road. After having a son, Glenn, they built a house next to the first that was much larger than 20 feet by 20 feet as they were expecting a second baby, daughter Ann.
Through the years, Pearl was dedicated to making this world a better place. Cliff and Pearl purchased the Cooper Delicatessen at the corner of Titus Ave and Cooper Rd in Irondequoit. Pearl hand made all the bread from scratch every day for the deli. Wonder Bread offered to purchase her recipe, however Pearl refused because they would add preservatives!
Pearl taught Sunday School, was Sunday School Superintendent, and was involved with the choir and altar guild at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
If not busy enough, Pearl and Cliff started a 4-H club and taught many skills to their two children plus the neighborhood kids. They also helped found the 4-H camp in Varysburg, NY, Camp Wyomoco, that is still active every summer.
Although Pearl had a fear of water but wanting her kids to have a pool to enjoy physical fitness and "stay out of trouble", she overcame that fear by taking swimming lessons at the Maplewood YMCA then became a swim instructor and taught many classes in her back yard. She also taught at the YMCA teaching the blind and handicapped how to swim.
Seeing how much she enjoyed helping others, swim lessons led to her taking first aide courses, which led to joining the Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance which ended up as a 27 year career – EMT, teacher to hundreds of EMT students, Medic, Ambulance driver saving numerous lives and enduring some very severe tragedies that she spoke about teaching others of dangers the rest of her life.
She and Cliff assisted their daughter Ann in starting the Upstate NY Pinto Horse Association in the 70's. Her daughter talked her into learning to ride horses, which she enjoyed.
In true Pearl fashion, she couldn't sit still so she decided to join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 4-8, and taught safe boating courses. She also would visit high schools to promote the Coast Guard Academy.
While all of this was going on, Pearl supported her husband, Cliff, in Air Force reunions and trips through the years.
She has always been an activist for the welfare of animals, has enjoyed camping, fishing, antique cars, traveled to Europe and Hawaii and making outstanding cookies for her granddaughter's sports games.
Last but not least, she was given an honorary high school diploma from Spencerport Central Schools at the age of 100 on December 22, 2022! That meant the world to her.
Out of all these accomplishments, and more, Pearl most took pride in her love for God and her family. She cherished every moment she had with her husband Cliff, son Glenn Neumann, daughter Ann and her husband Brian Roller, granddaughters Loraleigh Hild, Michelle Topper and her husband Keith, great grandchildren Payton (Kaylee) Hotz-Hild, Desi Fretty, and Kyle Topper, and great great granddaughter Mari Hotz-Hild.
God Bless, Pearl. You have eternity to relax, sing, dance, and enjoy God's peace.
Friends may call 4-6pm Monday June 3rd at Farrell-Ryan Funeral & Cremation Services 777 Long Pond Road. Funeral service Tuesday June 4th at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Interment Fairfield Cemetery Wednesday June 5th.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lollypop Farm or Redeemer Lutheran Church 1549 Dewey Ave, Rochester, NY 14615
Monday, June 3, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Farrell-Ryan Funeral & Cremation Services
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
3:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)
Redeemer Lutheran Church
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