Former Sunday School teacher, active in 60+ Club
Beatrice C.J. Pearson, 102, of Stratham, N.H., formerly of Manchester, Conn., and Harvard, died Thursday, Aug. 5, at her home in Stratham.
Beatrice was born June 17, 1908, in Manchester, Conn., the daughter of the late Emil and Emma Johnson. She lived in Manchester, Conn., for 81 years before moving to Harvard with her sisters, Eva and Norma Johnson. When her husband, G. Albert Pearson, the former music director for Manchester High School and organist for Emanuel Lutheran Church, died in 1965, she and her sisters lived together in Manchester for many years. She worked as a receptionist in the office of doctors Amos Friend and Walter Schardt.
Beatrice loved her church, Emanuel Lutheran, and for many years sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, played in the bell choir, and was a member of the prayer group. Upon moving to Harvard, she and her sisters joined the Harvard Congregational Church and were active members of the 60+ Club. In 2006, she moved to New Hampshire with her daughter and son-in-law.
Family members include her daughters, Karin, and her husband, Peter Koch, of Stratham, N.H., and Linda Adams of Lockport, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Koch, David and Amy Koch, and Gretchen and Jeffrey Legro; and her five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband and her sisters.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10:30 a.m., at the Congregational Church in Harvard, followed by a graveside service at East Cemetery, 240 East Center St. in Manchester, Conn., at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Harvard Congregational Church. An online guestbook is available at www.StockbridgeFH.com.
