Pearl M. Rhoades, 98
NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Pearl Mary Rhoades, 98, of Rhoades and Bailey Road, Southfield, died Friday night, March 13, 2009, at home.
Born in North Canaan, Conn., on Oct. 29, 1910, daughter of Jarvis Collar and Edith Elizabeth Lawrence Stevens, she grew up on the family farm in Canaan Valley in East Canaan, Conn. She attended the one-room schoolhouse in Canaan Valley and was a 1929 graduate of North Canaan High School.
Mrs. Rhoades moved to New Marlborough after high school and was employed at the former Walnut Grove Farm, where she later met her husband, George Edward Rhoades. A foster mother to numerous children, she was known as "Mom" and "Grandma" too many.
She was a member of East Canaan Congregational Church of Christ and of its Mill River Ladies' Aid. She was past master of the Umpachini Grange. She enjoyed knitting and always made a baby afghan when a new member of the family arrived.
Her husband, whom she married on Oct. 27, 1945, is deceased.
She leaves a daughter, Marsha Johnson Sarno and her husband, Dominic of Southfield; a sister, Gladys Stevens Grytzell, a resident at Geer Village in Canaan, Conn.; her grandchildren, Robin Richardson of Gilmanton, N.H., John Sarno and Jessica Sarno, both of Monterey, January Pearl Sarno and Vincent Sarno, both of Southfield, and Dominique Sarno of Tucson, Ariz.; her great-granddaughter, Madeline Sarno; nieces and nephews Janette Stevens Richardson and her husband, Allen, of Laconia, N.H., Lawrence "Butch" Stevens, Joan Stevens Thitcher and Catherine Stevens Washburn, all of West Cornwall, Conn., Phillip Ostapko of Canton, Conn., Daniel Ostapko of Mahopac, N.Y., Linda Ostapko Jenkins of North Granby, Conn., and many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was predeceased three sisters, Florine Stevens Wetmore, Edith Stevens and Ruth Stevens Ostapko, and two brothers, Holbrook Stevens and Lawrence Stevens.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Mrs. Rhoades will be conducted on Tuesday, March 17, at 11 from United Church of New Marlborough, Southfield, by the Rev. Brian Care, pastor. Burial will be in the spring in Mill River Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 16, from 4 to 7 at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
The Southfield community is invited to join the family of Mrs. Rhoads for a graveside service in celebration of her life on Friday, May 22, at 2 at Mill River Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Brian Care.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires or to Elder Services through funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.