Pearl Agnes Stringham

Pearl Agnes Stringham was born Dec. 21, 1919 in Oregon, Missouri and died on May 28, 2017 in Sherwood, Oregon. Pearl was the eldest daughter of Gene and Dora Stringham. She was born in Oregon, Missouri. She had two younger sisters, Edith and Norma. The family moved to Eastern Oregon, where they homesteaded. Eventually, work took the family to Cannon Beach, Oregon, where the girls grew up enjoying playing on the beach. Pearl was usually the only student in her grade at the small school in Cannon Beach. She was a serious student and graduated from Seaside High School Pearl met her husband, Leslie, when she was working at a restaurant in Cannon Beach. She served him ice cream that day and he became a regular customer. Initially, she was not interested in him as she planned to attend school in Monmouth and become a teacher, however his persistence paid off. They married In February 1939. They lived near the coast for a number of years before finally settling in Sherwood. They put a Quonset hut on property purchased from Leslie’s sister and brother-in-law, which they eventually converted into the home where their children were raised. After inheriting some additional property, they remodeled a house across the road and moved there, which is where they spent the remainder of their lives together. Pearl had four children: Nancy, Larry, Lori and Mary. She stayed home and supported her family in many ways. However, saying she was a housewife does not begin to capture all the things she did, including caring for sick relatives in her home. Some activities included: volunteering at school as a room mother, counting ballots in elections, being a member of a non-denominational bible study group and in Extension, and co-leading 4-H cooking and sewing groups. Along with Leslie, she helped with the strawberry fields and prune orchard on their property. She was the field boss in the berry fields and was clearly in charge. When they changed to hay and grain production, she continued to help. Pearl was an active gardener and canned much of her produce. She was a wonderful cook and was always able to put together a meal if company arrived. In addition to supporting the farm, Pearl had many personal pursuits as well. She sewed many clothes for herself, her children and friends. She made numerous quilts. She crocheted, made corn husk dolls, and became proficient at decorating cakes. She not only made doll cakes for her younger children and grandchildren, but many wedding cakes as well. She enjoyed reading and listening to music. Pearl’s artistic talents eventually focused on painting. She began by tole painting for a short time and then moved on to oils. Since she liked to paint quickly, she soon changed to using acrylics. She ended up finding her true passion in doing watercolors, which encompassed the majority of her career. She was always adamant that she wouldn’t sell her work, but give it to people. Her family and friends were blessed with many pictures. Pearl and Leslie shared a love of camping and travel. There were many memorable vacation trips enjoyed with her children. She always enjoyed visits to the coast and spent many years clamming. They also, loved to go fishing. After Leslie retired, they became Snowbirds – wintering in Arizona where they enjoyed hiking and riding motorcycles. Pearl took her painting materials with her everywhere they went. Pearl was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was accepting of others and always judged them on her interactions and not the gossip she might hear. She was open-minded and wanted to keep up with the times. Pearl always wanted to be able to communicate and was quick to get hearing aids so she wouldn’t miss anything her grandchildren might say. She loved all the time she was able to spend with her family. She remained a positive person throughout her lifetime. Pearl lived the last part of her life in the Memory Care Unit at The Springs, once her dementia progressed to the point she could no longer live at home. She very quickly, won over the hearts of the caregivers and staff. Her laughter and smile were infectious to those around her as she sat in the dining room or did laps around the unit in her wheelchair. We are truly grateful for the care she received, which supported her increasing needs and eventual, peaceful death. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Edith and Norma, her daughter Nancy, grandson Alex and husband Leslie. She is survived by her children: son Larry Longway (Ardy Longway), and daughters Lori Longway-Humphrey (Mark Humphrey), and Mary McDowell (Bert McDowell), her grandchildren Vicki Capperauld, Cindy Hoff, Sheri Rogers (Mike Rogers), Tammy Jack and Kelsie Stringham-Marquis (Danny Stringham-Marquis) and her great grandchildren: Raimey Hoff, Corey Hoff, Michelle Rogers, Caden Jack and Matilda Stringham-Marquis.