Dorothy Louise Pearl's Obituary
Dorothy Louise Pearl passed away peacefully on August 1st, 2025. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Frank and Katherine Kolla. Her parents later relocated to Richmond, Michigan, where Dorothy met the love of her life. On February 1st, 1947, she married her devoted husband, Freddie Pearl. The two settled in St. Clair, Michigan, where they purchased their first home and firmly planted their roots.
Dorothy took immense pride in crafting a warm and inviting home. She particularly enjoyed decorating for each season and holiday, with Christmas holding a special place in her heart. The joy of spoiling her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren during the Christmas season brought her the greatest happiness.
After Freddie’s retirement, the two enjoyed traveling the country—often bringing their children and grandchildren along for the ride. Dorothy’s favorite destinations were Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Las Vegas.
She also had a lifelong love for shopping, always on the hunt for a “good deal,” and eagerly awaited the start of garage sale season each year. Dorothy especially cherished weekend shopping trips with “her girls,” always making time to stop at her favorite stores—TJ Maxx and Kohl’s.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Linda Stephan and Kat (Jess) Delisle, and her son-in-law, Lee Willis Sr.; her sister, Marion Howison, and brother, Frank Kolla. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Barbara Kish, Jodi Stephan, John (Amanda) Stephan, Jason (Ashley) Kish, Bonny (Richard) Smit, Rilee (Brad) Young, Chad (Erika) Delisle, Kelli (Jerry) Bean, and James III (Casey) Pecor.
She was a proud great-grandmother to: Andrew Smit, Tyler (Brittany Thompson) Kish, Brenna (Jacob) Hazzard, Andrew (Erin) Beggs, JD Stephan, Brenna (Jacob) Hazzard, Colton Pilon, Lee Smit, Dillon (Alyssa Paynter) Pilon, Kaiya Bean, and James IV and Charlotte Pecor.
Her legacy continues through her great-great-grandchildren: Austin, Everleigh, and Travis Hazzard and Iris Pearl Beggs, her precious namesake.
Family was very important to Dorothy and there are so many family members that felt the love that she graciously offered.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Freddie Pearl; her daughters, Theresa Willis and Mary Lee Pecor; her great-grandson, Joshua Smit; her son-in-law, James Pecor II; and her sisters, Kay Kuypers, Marge Burgess, and Marie (“Penny”) Wirth.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Visions AFC Home and Harmony Hospice Care. Deepest gratitude to Nurse Jen and Aide Vicki for their kindness and compassion during Dorothy’s final months.
To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com
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