Pearl Ireland, 1952-2009

Pearl Joan Ireland was born in High Prairie Dec. 28, 1952. She was raised in Grouard by her parents, Bill Roberts and Mary Cardinal.

Pearl was the second oldest of nine children so she naturally took an active role in helping her mother with her younger brothers and sisters. This was the start of Pearl’s lifelong love of children. As soon as a new child was born in the family Aunty Pearl was there. Her beautiful laugh made babies smile while she held them and sang to them.

That laugh of Pearl’s brightened the lives of everyone around her. How can we ever forget the joking and laughing Pearl did even when we knew she was in such pain? Of course, she never wanted to worry anyone so this was her way of making people feel better. She was always thinking of others.

As a child Pearl loved playing outdoors in the beautiful nature surrounding Grouard. Her favourite pastime was singing and listening to music. This continued to be her passion throughout her life; her favoorite artist being George Jones.

On Sept. 1, 1984, Pearl married the love of her life, Robert. Pearl became an instant mother to Robert’s three children and they loved her as much as she loved them. The family resided in the Little Smoky area west of High Prairie. Robert was raised in this area and his mother and siblings lived on surrounding farms so Pearl quickly became a very loved member of the Ireland family.

Pearl was a multi-talented lifelong learner. One of her greatest skills was of a moose hunter. Robert taught her to hunt and she became a natural; killing over 20 moose by herself.

She made the best dry meat.

When Robert decided to buy a gravel truck, Pearl learned how to drive and after getting her license she and Robert worked a split shift working in the oilfield.

Pearl was also a carpenter. She and Robert built their home themselves. One day Robert came home from work and Pearl had half the house shingled, by herself.

Just a few years ago Pearl returned to school and earned her Office Administration Certificate. She was hired by the High Prairie Hospital in 2003 as the Native Liaison Officer and this was truly the perfect job for her. The warmth she brought to people in need was amazing. She had a way about her that made people relax and her happy spirit was so uplifting; people just knew she cared about them.

Pearl’s sister, Peggy, tells a story of a time when Pearl was worried about one of the patients from the High Prairie hospital. He was being transferred to Edmonton and Pearl was worried that he wouldn’t have any visitors. She called Peggy, who lived in Edmonton, and asked her to go to the hospital and visit the fellow. Peggy went to the hospital and introduced herself as Pearl’s sister. He was so happy, he told Peggy what an angel her sister Pearl was.

Pearl’s greatest joy was her grandchildren; all eight of them. Before the grandchildren came along, Pearl and Robert helped raise their niece so they always seemed to have children in their house.

Pearl was such a strong woman. She suffered through her illness without ever complaining. She fought a long, hard, battle and truly deserves a good rest.

She will be forever loved and missed by her loving family.

Pearl is survived by: her husband, Robert; son Dwayne and spouse Santana, and their children Selena, Destiny and Brodie; son Clinton and spouse Gloria, and daughters Sidney and Zoey; daughter Donna and spouse Robert, and children Caine, Adonica, and little R.J.; special nieces Tavia and Hope; sisters Peggy Roberts, Sue Sutherland (spouse Frankie), Bev Clubb (spouse John), Linda Fournel (spouse Rene) and Karen Cardinal Pitt (spouse Ian); brothers Ronald Cardinal and Neil Cardinal (spouse Donna); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pearl was predeceased by: her parents, her brother Tom, and her grandson, Justice.

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