December 3, 1941 ~ September 8, 2019
Pearl Amelia Milner Wagstaff Garff, born December 3, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah died Sunday, September 8, 2019, in her home in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 77.
Pearl, grew up in Copperfield, Utah until the age of 4, and then moved to Copperton, Utah. She graduated from Bingham High School and attended the University of Utah, where she received a bachelor's degree. She also earned a master's from the Four Winds Society and was certified in educational kinesiology through NLP. She was the Development Director of the Dancers' Theatre Company, a non-profit, and the Life Arts Center, a school of the integrated arts/science. Pearl received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Utah Dance Education Organization. Pearl was a teacher, shaman, dancer, and artist, known as "Miss Pearl" to many of her students and friends. For over 50 years, children were the love of her life and her life's mission. Her legacy lives through the lives she influenced.
Pearl is preceded in death by her parents, Blaine and Agnes Milner and her son Joseph Wagstaff. She is survived by her brother Michael Milner (Salt Lake City, Utah), her sons John Wagstaff (Salt Lake City, Utah), Tim (Sheri) Wagstaff (Park City, Utah), Mike (Rhonda) Wagstaff (Brea, California), and Nikolas (Gina) Garff (Salt Lake City, Utah). She has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Catholic mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at St Thomas Moore Catholic Church (3015 Creek Road) at 11 am with a gathering after.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Miss Pearl was my dance teacher from the ages of 3 to 9. She was tremendously supportive of my dancing and greatly impacted my love of dance and sense of self- esteem. I remember first going to dance in her house with her beautiful dog before she opened her studio. Amazingly but not surprising I walked into her studio one evening after having not seen her for possibly 15 or so years and she remembered my name and knew exactly who I was. That meant the world to me and says so much about how closely she held her students. I went on to be a dance teacher myself and used her techniques often to foster the love of dance and movement in others. She will be fondly remembered. Alison Northrup Kapetanovic
Alison Northrup Kapetanovic
November 2, 2019
so many memories of Pearl, such an amazing and inspiring artist. She elevated childrens dance into an art form of sublime beauty. To watch her teach was equally as beautiful. I am grateful my children had the opportunity to dance with her. She will be missed.
Kristie Remington
October 18, 2019
Miss you so much ,you teach me how to dance in Copperton , Utah . Love always from Debra Howland Brown cousin.
Debra howland-brown
September 27, 2019
To all of Pearl's family:
Sorry at Pearl's passing! Pearl was always so kind to me. She would ask about the dates on went on. Asked how I was doing in school, what classes I was taking and who was the teacher. Pearl and John had me help take out cement for access to dance class room. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mark Wagstaff
Mark Wagstaff
September 21, 2019
Sorry from cousins Debra Howland Brown and David Brown
Debra Howland -Brown
Family
September 20, 2019
To all of Pearl's family and dear friends I send my condolences. I have loved Pearl ever since I met her at the University. She was a gorgeous dancer with an amazing and generous spirit, and she has brought so much joy and happiness to all of those who ever came into her lovely circle of friends. She will be sorely missed in this community. I am so sorry that I cannot attend her service this week. But I send all of my love and good thoughts to Pearls family. I have been blessed through my friendship with her. Joan J Woodbury
September 19, 2019
Mike,
I'm so sorry to hear about Pearls passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Sylvia Williams
September 18, 2019
I am so sorry to hear that Pearl has passed. She is one of my favorite people and such a wonderful person. I loved her fun wit, her kindness and talent! I'm certain she is having a great time with her dear friend and mine, Ann Howells. With deepest condolences.
Brenda Maxwell
September 17, 2019
Pearl will always be a part of the Payne's lives. Through her creativity and love of dance she taught our daughter's how to keep and use their creativity for themselves as well as for others. Allan and Jeanette Payne
September 17, 2019
Mike,
I'll always remember Pearl as the sweet, beautiful, older teenager, when we were kids growing up in Copperton.
I know that you will truly miss her.
I offer my sincere condolences
Love and best wishes
Ben
Ben Mcallister
September 17, 2019
Sorry from cousin Debra Howland Brown and David Brown
Debra howland-brown
September 15, 2019
judy fine
September 15, 2019
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