Pearl Hutchinson

HUTCHINSON, Pearl April 20, 1917 to November 11, 2015 From simple beginnings to a simple end, but a marvelous life in between. Born in the tiny coal mining community of Extension, BC, just outside Nanaimo, Pearl was the second youngest of eight children of William and Elizabeth Timmins who brought their two eldest daughters, Marian (Kiest) and Esther (Carlsen) to Canada from the Midlands of England. Here Sadie (Newberry), James, Helen (McDougall) and Pearl were born and finally Norman who died tragically at 12. Pearl had to leave school after grade eight in order to help the family finances, and soon moved to Victoria where she began a lifetime friendship with Ada Irving. In the 1930s they met and married two friends from the Royal Canadian Navy, Tommy Hutchinson and Bill Ogilvie in a double wedding. Pearl worked decades in Frost's Corner Store on the corner of Oak Bay Avenue and Foul Bay Road. Pearl had an active social life, as a member of the Legion, the Eagles, and especially the IODE. She also travelled; to England to visit relatives, and to Australia and the Orient. Her last years were spent in declining health and she finally went into care. Many thanks to her doctor, Lisa Veres, and especially the staff at Mount Saint Mary Hospital. Pearl was predeceased by her husband Tommy in 1996, her sisters and brothers, and far too many friends to count. She is survived by her son, John (Beverly), grandsons, Philip (Elisa) and Tyler, and granddaughter, Alison (Oliver), good friend Harry Cross, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and many, many friends and their families. A memorial service will be held at McCall's Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcallbros.com.