Pearl O. Kay

Elmira - Pearl O. Kay, 88 of Elmira, New York passed away on September 11, 2022 at
the Chemung County Nursing Facility. This is where she resided for the past 10 years
under the exceptional care while she battled Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Pearl graduated from Southside High School and after graduation, like her sister's, Betty
and Martha, she became a telephone operator with New York Telephone now Verizon
Elmira, New York. Together, they had over 100 years of dedicated service to their
occupation.
The glimmer in Pearl's eye was her son Scott. She supported, spoiled and absolutely
loved being his mother. No words can completely capture the special bond between a
mother and son, but these two were an exception. It was true love. He was her best
friend and he protected her. She was his life, his soul, his everything. In Scotty's words
- "My mom is the only reason I am able to do what I do."
Pearl is survived by her son, Scott Kay (Brenda Brown, who Pearl would have picked
out of a crowd to be with her Scott) of Elmira, New York; nieces Kathryn (Alan) Williams,
of Blairsville, GA, Carol (Michael) Hoelbrandt of Henryville, IN, Sandra (Preston)
Pereschuk of Smithsburg, MD; great-nieces, Taryn (Kyle) Wyvel, Mattie (Brian) Celetti;
great-nephew, Michael F. Hoelbrandt; great -great -niece, Miranda Pierce; great-great-
nephews, Anthony Celetti and Brian Daniel Celetti; niece-in-law, Carolyn (Cari)
Yeomans, Elmira, NY. Pearl had a very special friend, Kay Ernest Beckwith, who visited and comforted her weekly. And her wonderful Laurel Street neighbors, Eleanor Ackerson, Pat Hallinan, Maddie Kankus, Nate and Sue Noto.
Besides her parents, Rex and Sara, Pearl was also predeceased by her brothers, George and John
(Carmella) Oliver; sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Oliver; Sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha
(Frank) Yeomans, Marge (Frank) Bird; nephew, Rex Yeomans.
On March 5, 2012, I left my mother in the hands of the Chemung County Nursing Facility.
It is with deep gratitude and sincere thanks for the exceptional care that was given to
her right until her passing. Thank you for keeping her happy, loved, and most
importantly keeping her safe.
Pearl was the utmost giving of herself to make someone else happy. She took great joy
in seeing that everyone was happy. She was a person you could never out give, she
truly loved for others. She was never first. It was just in her nature to see a need and
quietly provide for it. She was the most appreciative person in the world. You could not
leave her house until you were told 100 times thank you for whatever you did, no matter
how small.
Pearl's wish was not to have any services but to SPREAD LOVE everywhere you go.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. "THANK" a stranger, do a good
deed and smile everyday. Pearl's tribute wall may be signed at www.olthof.com