Pearl Christina Broad

Pearl Christina Broad joined her Lord on May 23, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta, when He suddenly decided He needed her in heaven.

Pearl was born to August and Pearl Burant on April 4, 1937 in Melville, Saskatchewan. Growing up on a farm with 11 siblings, Pearl had a desire to get a good education and see more of the world.

She finished her high school by boarding in town and went to secretarial school after grade 12. She met and married Don Broad in Regina in 1956. They had one daughter, Linda the next year. After a few years working in the Public Service, they moved to Calgary. They moved into the family home in 1965, where Pearl still resided.

Working for Parks and Recreation in Calgary, she spent most summer weekends hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains with the family, looking for plants and rocks. She liked hiking so much that, even when a widow, she joined the Rocky Mountain Ramblers hiking club for weekend hikes.

After she transferred to the ISPG (geology) division, she learned more about rocks, fossils, crystals and the best locations for rock-hunting! That meant pockets full of rocks for everyone on the hikes.. And then, backpacks full of rocks, leading to many summer vacations to local and distant rock shops. Pearl, Don and Linda belonged to the Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club, polishing rocks, creating jewelery and inspiring others to join the rock-hounding passion.

With her farm upbringing, Pearl developed a love of nature, especially flowers, like her mother, and spent part of each spring and summer day in  her gardens.

Sundays for Pearl were a day of worship, singing in the senior choir, and fellowship after mass with parishioners.

When family arrived at her home, no one left without the offer of a meal and if needed, a place to sleep for the night, or week.

Pearl was an active hiking, crafting, sewing, baking “Grandma” to her five  grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Pearl was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and six of her siblings. She will be greatly missed by her family and extended family, especially at the yearly Burant family reunion, where she inspired the younger generation of future rock-hounds, hikers and gardeners.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church (2424 24 Ave NW) on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow. Graveside Service at Queen's Park Cemetery.

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