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Pearl was born in 1933 in Pennsylvania of Scottish-Irish ancestry. Both parents died at age 33 when Pearl was age nine. Her mother’s death was due to toxemia, her father’s - spinal meningitis.
Like her mother Pearl endured toxemia related to pregnancy. This eventually was traced to a floating kidney which was surgically repaired. We married and our three children – Julie, Jim and Corinne - were born healthy while Pearl was in her 20s.
At age 56 her gallbladder was removed and later at age 63 she had a complete hysterectomy. Estrogen supplementation was begun before that and was continued until 2007.
Pearl was not an athletic person but we did take daily walks through a nearby cemetery or at the indoor track at the local university. On just a few occasions she developed calf cramps while taking those long walks. We lived in a bi-level house so stairs contributed to overall good health.
She had occasional migraine headaches, food and medicine allergies, and was on allergy and asthma medications for many years. Other medications were taken for irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux. Pearl never smoked and didn’t drink alcohol. Her lipids were most desirable: high HDL, low overall cholesterol and the ratio placed her in the lowest risk group for heart disease. Blood pressure was normal without medication and weight was average for her height of 63 inches. Her general health was good – her skin was fair.
She was a very supportive and caring mother and wife. She started a career as a cashier but became a full-time homemaker after the children were born. For 20 years before retirement she was a secretary for a psychologist in private practice.
We retired together at age 64 and moved the following year from northern Indiana to Florida. A new home was purchased near our children and their families.