SALEM - Pearl Johns, age 101, of Salem passed away on October 31, 2022 in the comfort of her home with her hand held by loving family. For 41 years, Pearl was the owner of Pearl's Alterations & Tailoring located on Essex Street in Salem. Pearl's legacy remains woven into the City's history by her longevity in the business community, and quite literally, by the threads she sewed into the garments of her customers.

Naturally, Pearl's long life had her live through many significant world events. But for Pearl, they became much more than headline-grabbing moments. Cuba's escalating involvement in the Cold War was certainly one such event. At age 40, as a widow and mother of three living in Guantanamo province, Pearl was determined to emigrate to protect her children from Cuba's volatile political climate. Her instincts to discreetly prepare for their departure would pay off, and shortly after the infamous Bay of Pigs Invasion, Pearl implemented her plan to leave the country. With only four pieces of luggage in all, the family left their home headed towards the uncertainties awaiting them in the United States.

Many of us would cave if faced with such unfamiliar surroundings- a strange new city, a different language, an unusual climate, and with few possessions. But Pearl was the embodiment of strength and determination. Despite her life drastically changing without her consent, Pearl opened her business just a year after immigrating to the US. Other milestones soon followed- she took driving lessons to earn a license, purchased a home in Salem just seven years after arriving, and passed her citizenship test. Quite a remarkable journey for a Cuban farm girl.

As their beloved matriarch, Pearl will be greatly missed by her family: her daughter Luisa Morais of Salem, her son, Conrado Johns & daughter-in-law, Gail Johns of Beverly, her grandchildren, Rosa Morais Clark & her husband, Sean, Carlos Morais & his partner, Michele Brumis, Conrado Johns Jr., Jennifer Johns, Malcolm Parker & his wife, Porscha, and Ali Parker, her six great-grandchildren, and her sister, Jane Royal. Pearl was predeceased by: her daughter, Mariana Parker, her grandson, Michael Morais, and her sisters, Orilla "Minnie" Collins and Ellen "Goodie" Antoine.

Pearl had long expressed her wish to finish her life's journey in the comfort and familiarity of her home of 53 years. Pearl's family extends their deepest appreciation to those who made this possible: Nurse Patrick Davidson and Nurse Wanda Santana of Care Dimensions Hospice, Home Aides Sorangel Solano and Mildred Rodriguez, and AgeSpan-Elder Services.

ARRANGEMENTS: The family invites all those who knew Pearl on Saturday, November 12th for visiting hours from 10 AM to 12:30 PM followed by her funeral service at 12:30 PM at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common), SALEM. Burial in Greenland Cemetery, 57 Orne St., Salem, MA. Flowers and other expressions of sympathy for Pearl's service can be delivered to O'Donnell Funeral Home. To Share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com