Pearl M. Grika

Pearl Grika (nee Millman), 85, beloved wife of the late Larry Grika, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, expert & enthusiast of American history and everything Benjamin Franklin, passed away in her home surrounded by her family on December 16, 2024, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Pearl was born in Chester, Pennsylvania on May 26, 1939. She graduated from Nether Providence High School and went on to attend University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1961. She later obtained her Master of Arts degree in American History from Boston University.

Following her Bachelor’s degree, she was hired as a Historian at Independence National Historical Park, where she gave lectures and led tours. During this time, she was chosen to give John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson personal guided tours of Philadelphia.

Pearl was a natural organizer and a master of details, which led to her successful careers as a historian, tour guide, tour director, and assistant director at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. She excelled in coordinating events, logistics, and travel, always ensuring that every detail was attended to. Her expertise and love for adventure also made her exceptional at organizing trips to historical landmarks and cultural treasures both in the United States and abroad. Her enthusiasm for sharing history made each journey unforgettable.

 At the heart of Pearl’s life, however, was her family. She adored spending time with her children and grandchildren, sharing her love and knowledge of history, culture and art. Trips to art museums, visits to historic places around Philadelphia and of course sharing her love of Ben Franklin were ingrained in all who loved and knew Pearl.

In addition to her professional and family life, Pearl enjoyed traveling, going to concerts, exploring museums, attending classes, and volunteering. Pearl was a founding member of the Music Society of Southern New Jersey, participating in concert scheduling, designing programs, writing publicity and completing grant proposals. She was also involved in the “Art Goes to School” program, where she trained volunteers to go into public schools with reproductions of well-known works of art in an effort to educate, awaken and excite children to the wonders and magic of art. A special highlight was being on the committee planning Ben Franklin’s 300th birthday celebration in 2006.

Pearl is survived by her children and their spouses, Marc and Lisa Grika, Lauren and Mark Eyer, Debbie and Pepijn Driessen; her nieces and nephews and her beloved grandchildren, Siona (Zoë), Jared, Eve, Jonathan, Benjamin, Olivia, Jordan (Amanda) and Maya. 

Services and interment will be private. Shiva will be observed at her late residence on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

As Ben Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”. This quote embodies how Pearl lived. May her soul rest in peace, and may her spirit continue to guide us, as we remember her not only as a historian of the past, but as a loving presence who shaped our futures with grace, wisdom, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in her memory be made to The National Constitution Center.