Pearl M. (Rowe) Sambolt
‘A Treasured Fine Pearl’
Born into Earthly Life – September 20, 1939
Born into Eternal Life – Transfiguration Sunday, August 6, 2017
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, August 11, 2017 at 10:00 am
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Celebrated by Fr. Richard S. Jones
St. Joseph Parish (1304 Fourth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108)
412-264-6162 (www.stjosephcatholicchurch.net)
Interment – St. Joseph Cemetery
At the funeral home I spoke with Pearl’s husband, John, and I remarked to him, “You had a good life together” to which he responded, “She was my life- she was my everything!” “A good wife is her husband’s pride and joy!” (Proverbs12:4). They met and went on their first date on Thanksgiving Day, 1959, and were married one year later on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1960, here in this church of St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Stoney. They pledged those sacred vows almost 57 years ago,“…to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part.” Your marriage has brought luminous light into your family, the Church, the community, and the world. Pearl was the wife of John and they were blessed with two cherished daughters, Karen (Pete) and Kathy, who were always at her side and Lucia who was “like a daughter” and her sisters Rose and Marianne.
The family kept watch in vigilant prayer, songs, humor and gratitude until the Lord called her on Transfiguration Sunday, August 6, 2017 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital at 3:20 am in the 4th watch of the night (from 3am until 6 am). As Jesus was transfigured on Mt. Tabor, He was accompanied by His three disciples, Peter, James and John. At Pearl’s side was her family and her 3 grandsons, Peter, John and Matthew (not James!) Nothing made her more radiant than when all 3 of them were at the altar!
Everyone gathered here today has their “Pearl” stories and memories which are invaluable treasures that have graced each of our lives. I often think of the parable of the pearl that Jesus spoke about when he described the Kingdom of Heaven like a man looking for fine pearls and when he finds one, he goes and sells everything he has in search of that single pearl (Matthew13:45-46).
I wish to speak about 3 qualities in particular that defined her life:
1. A Woman of Great Faith – Throughout Sacred Scripture we read of virtuous stories of women such as Ruth, Susanna, Esther, and Judith, as well as saints such as St. Monica (AD 322–387), who prayed persistently every single day for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine (354-430) through her persistence, patience and perseverance in the faith. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) found and cared for the poorest of the poor, AIDS victims, leper colonies and the indigently poor around the globe. Today’s saint, St. Clare (1194 -1253), who founded the Poor Clares (1212), discovered that Christ is the way and St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1126) mirrored it to her. St. Clare expressed her love for God by patiently bearing illness, doing penance, offering prayers and remaining devoted to her sisters and her town. St. Clare said – “Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of eternity! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.” A Canaanite, an outsider of Judaism, begs Jesus for the healing of her child, with a demon possession, and Jesus says – “O woman great is your faith” (Matthew 15:28). This woman’s faith was visible in her awareness she needed Jesus’s healing intervention, persistence against all odds, and concern not only for herself, but for her daughter. So too, we can take many cues from Pearl’s great faith. She had a great devotion to Padre Pio (1887- 1968), sharing his story and holy water with everyone she met. “Prayer is the best armor we have, it is the key which opens the heart of God” – Padre Pio. Pearl knew many hardships and setbacks in life with rheumatic fever as a teenager, brain surgery, leukemia, diabetes, heart condition, a hearing impairment, a foot injury and countless medical issues along the way but this did not dim nor dampen her spirit of faith. Life is not perfect as we all know. On life’s journey we encounter negative experiences, unpleasant people, difficult issues and stressful situations. How one copes with adverse circumstances have an effect on our health, relationships and quality of life. People who are more resilient to life’s changes – who are unable to bounce back quickly and grow from the experience are healthier and happier. Resilient people are positive-thinking, remain active, flexible, adaptable, strong social circles, positive thinking, optimistic, calm, caring, grounded, inspirational, peaceful, spirit-minded, and thoughtful. The path of faith is not easy. There are many twists and turns, ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys that can leave one discouraged and perplexed. It is important to have good teachers, mentors and companions along the way such as Pearl, “a giant of faith”- wise, patient and loving. Her faith was resilient. She had the ability to bounce back, not just to endure and tolerate suffering but to thrive during and after difficulties. Scientific research shows us that those who survive catastrophes – such as floods, fires, tsunami’s, droughts, and wars discover that the one prescription that works is resiliency, how you react when things don’t go your way. After brain surgery, 32 years ago on August 9, 1985, at St. Francis Hospital in Lawrenceville, PA she thanked God and the medical staff for giving her a new chance at life. After only 24 hours in the ICU and 8 days in the hospital, she returned home with no side effects from the surgery. She was known as the “Miracle on the Neuro Floor”. This experience made her empathetic and compassionate and she never took anything in life for granted, not time, people, or life.
2. A Trustworthy Friend - Pearl had her designated spot where she camped out in the front of the church, near the pillar. She was indeed a pillar of our faith community. Her cheerful hospitality blessed each parishioner and visitor alike. She befriended them with her warm, smiling face, and she was even giving high fives after receiving Holy Communion. The Wisdom of Solomon states, “A loyal friend is like a safe shelter; find one and you have found a treasure. Nothing else is as valuable; there is no way of putting a price on it. A loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health. Only those who fear the Lord can find such a friend. A friend who fears the Lord can make real friendships because he will treat his friends as he does himself” (Sirach 6:14-17). Pearl was owner and operator of her beauty salon and a licensed cosmetologist. She welcomed her clients as friends. She was very active at St. Joseph Church in many capacities: Christian Mother, a catechist for Religious Education for high school, RCIA program, a Eucharistic Minister, a Parish Council member, a singer in St. Joseph Folk Group, and a leader in Lamb of God prayer group. She was a recipient of “Manifesting the Kingdom Award”. Pearl and John regularly attended Bible Study and enjoyed fellowship in the rectory afterward. Pearl started the Coraopolis Club of “Take off Pounds Sensibly.” She spearheaded a movement to bring the POW’s home during the Vietnam War in direct connection with Voices in Vital America. She was instrumental for families in getting their soldiers home. The name religion derives from the Latin term religo which means “to bind together”. She saw to bind together her ancestors, friends, family, community and congregation. Jesus himself said to the earliest Christians, “And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them” (Matthew18:19-20). Pearl knew the secret of communal support, and how religious community is essentially valuable for one’s well-being. She knew the power of gratitude and counted her blessings daily. Pearl was a happy person, a good listener, a kind care-giver, a non-judgmental person; her love was all inclusive, her concerns vast, she sought to reconcile, be a peace-maker and heal. St. Paul writes – “So then, as often as we have the chance we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith” (Galatians 6:10). Pearl would always share her many stories, whether it was of Fr. Bruce or Sr. Janet or Sr. Faith. As youngsters often have sleepover parties at their friends’ houses, Pearl’s Friday evening prayer gatherings reminded me of a sleepover as they went long into the night. She prayed for everyone and made sure no one was forgotten, neglected or alone. She always said to each of us, “I am praying for you”.
3. The Fierceness of a Mother’s Love – St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) said – “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” Pearl knew many secrets, stories and even sins of others and with a mothers love promised to constantly pray, encourage and support everyone to seek and do God’s will in all things. Her love was always unconditional. She knew – “There is more happiness in giving than receiving” (Acts 20:35). Give all, and live always in the Lord. A mother’s love holds the universe together. I recall the Sambolt family sitting together in church, in the same place Pearl normally sat, the day after she died and her daughter Karen said, “I’ve never been on this earth without mom a day in my life until today. It is as if earth were shaking a bit, yet despite the great loss they were relieved that her suffering was mercifully over.” Pearl understood that God has a plan and that is what we need to know most each day. Although she had every reason to be burdened, she unburdened many through her humor, faith, kindness, joy, cheerfulness, simplicity and pleasant demeanor. Many people went to Pearl for advice or council because she was a gracious and virtuous soul. “She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs. Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her” (Proverbs 31:26-28).
Jesus Christ came into the world to reconcile us with God and one another. Jesus gave His life for this purpose and the Church. His mission continued by appearing to His disciples in the upper room after the Resurrection. He said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). So each member of the Body of Christ is sent forth to continue the healing work of reconciliation.
We thank you Lord for the presence of Pearl in our lives. We are all the better for it as she was indeed, a woman of great faith, a trustworthy friend and a mother with fierce love. In closing I share some lyrics of a song –
I’ll See You Again –
Westlife
Always you will be part of me
And I will forever feel your strength
When I need it most
You’re gone now,
gone but not forgotten
I can’t say this to your face
But I know you hear
I’ll see you again
You never really left
I feel you walk beside me
I know I’ll see you again
When I’m lost, I’m missing you like crazy
And I tell myself I’m so blessed
To have had you in my life…
Songwriters: Andrew Gerard Hill / Michelle Lena Poole