Pearl Mary Theresa Jardine was born on October 4, 1924 to Carl Waldemar Svenson, later changed by Ellis Island to Charles Swanson, and Anna Rosa Aiani. She was born in Chicago but soon the family moved to Tinley Park, Illinois. She was a member of Saint George’s Parish.
She married Norris James (Jim) Robertson of Clinton, Ark., and they had a son, Norris James (Tom) and a daughter, Sally Jane. In 1951, she married Ralph Edwin Brockley who adopted her children and changed all their names to Jardine to match his stepfather.
Pearl and Ralph managed Jardine’s Restaurant on 159th and Oak Park Ave. for many years, taking over from Ralph’s mother, Gladys Jardine. They retired to Savannah, Ga., in 1975, golfing when the weather was fine and traveling when it was too hot. At home, they entertained friends, played bridge and poker, and raised a succession of yellow Labradors. Amateur archeology was another of their passions along with white-water rafting. Pearl was an embroiderer, a painter and a gardener. She was always looking forward to the next fun event. Her philosophy was “never turn down an invitation because they might never ask you again.”
They moved to Holiday Island, Ark., in 1982 at the urging of Pearl’s lifelong friends and schoolmates, Freddie and Mary Jane Willman, building their first home on Shield’s Spur.
They loved exploring the Ozarks, driving down every country road and stopping at a different eatery each time. Pearl enjoyed golf and bridge and also began helping her color-blind husband with his stained-glass work by choosing the color palette.
Meeting people and making friends was Pearl’s life work. Her dad called her a chatterbox and she continued that talent by writing her life story and memories of the restaurant and her trips for the family and friends. You can listen to her travel stories on YouTube under “Pearl’s Travelogues.”
Pearl and Ralph traveled to almost every country, making friends and enjoying life. Her address book was always in tatters because of all the additions she would make after every trip or cruise. She had many wonderful times with the Red Hat Club and the Elks Club where she volunteered to be the Bathroom Cleaner-in-Chief.
As her thoughts became more confused, she gave up driving and bridge, but not without a fight. Her last days were made more pleasant and bearable by the excellent care provided to her by the staff and management of Green Acres and by the earthly angels of Hospice. The family wants to express their great debt of gratitude to both of these groups.
Pearl is survived by her daughter Sally, her daughter-in-law Carol, grandsons Jeffrey, Jonathan and Daniel, and great-grandchildren Jessi, Nicolas, Reyal and Angelina.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Anna Swanson, husband Ralph, son Norris (Tom) Jardine and brother Richard Swanson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Hospice or to the Good Shepherd Humane Society of Carroll County.
Funeral services were June 18 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Humane Society, 6486 Hwy 62 E., Eureka Springs, AR 72632 or Hospice of the Hills 501 E. Sherman Ave., Harrison, AR 72601. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2019