Constance Pearl Davidson

Pearl passed away peacefully at The Pines, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Paul.

Born in Renfrew, Ontario, Pearl was the youngest of four children to Helen and William Hale. She had three older brothers—Ron, Dennis, and Ray—all of whom predeceased her.

When WWII broke out, her brothers enlisted and were sent overseas. For six years, Pearl was essentially an only child, and it wasn’t until after the war that she truly got to know her brothers. Tragically, Ray was killed in action in 1944. Pearl fondly remembered how he doted on her—his only little sister. In 1994, her mother was named the Silver Cross Mother for the Royal Canadian Legion Renfrew Branch 148, a distinction Pearl was very proud of.

Pearl attended both public and high school in Renfrew. After graduating in 1952, she enrolled in Teachers College in Smiths Falls. While studying, she worked part-time at Butsons Restaurant, where she met a handsome young man named Paul Davidson, a dispatcher with the Canadian Pacific Railway. Their love story began quickly and endured despite the distance, with Paul often away working.

In 1954, Paul was transferred to the then-bustling railway town of Bala as Station Master. He boarded with Mary Clements on the Moon River and would travel back to Renfrew and Smiths Falls to visit Pearl, who was now teaching. Their romance thrived through weekly love letters—a treasured collection Pearl lovingly kept in an oversized shoebox, one of the family's most cherished keepsakes.

Pearl and Paul married in 1956 and settled in Muskoka, first living in Torrance and later in Bala. They welcomed two sons—Steve in 1957 and Ross in 1959. After staying home with the boys during their early years, Pearl returned to teaching, working at the Bala School (now the laundromat and grocery store). When that school closed, she moved to the new Bala Public School (now the Legion) and later to Glen Orchard Public School. As her grandchildren arrived, Pearl retired and embraced her role as grandmother with full-hearted devotion. She was blessed with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart—and she in theirs. She was known affectionately as "Grandma" and "G.G."

Pearl’s deep faith led her to become a devoted member of Trinity St. Alban’s Anglican Church from the moment she moved to Bala. She was active in the ACW, the Altar Guild, and was the chief ironer of the church linens. She also coordinated the church's Marathon Bridge fundraiser for 40 years, managing over 20 bridge teams and hosting the much-anticipated Strawberry Dessert Social to close out each season. The fundraiser just celebrated its 49th year.

Pearl was deeply involved in her community. She volunteered with Bala Meals on Wheels, canvassed for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, supported the SMMH Foundation, and participated in Bala’s Trek to Bethlehem, the Cranberry Festival, and countless other community events. A longtime member of the Bala Curling Club, she was awarded a Lifetime Membership and made many dear friends there. She was a proud hockey mom, often found shuttling her sons and their teammates to games or working the snack bar at local arenas.

Pearl had a gift for hospitality. She and Paul were known for hosting joyful gatherings, especially their legendary Walker Street Christmas Eve parties. Every year, Pearl would slip away at 11 p.m. to attend the Christmas Eve church service, only to return an hour later to continue her role as “hostess with the mostess.”

For all who knew her, Pearl leaves behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, and love.

She is lovingly remembered by her sons Steve (Dianne) and Ross (Allison); her grandchildren Melissa, Lindsay (Simon), Rob, Jeff (Kayla), and Chris (Alysha); and her great-grandchildren Jadenn, Gabriel, Dahlia, Ava, Adi, Aleah, Wesley, and Rowan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Gerry Davidson, nephew David (Randy), and nieces Leslie, Susan, Connie, and Marsha.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30PM on Friday, July 18 at Trinity All-Saints Anglican Church, Bala, ON.