BANGOR — Pearl C. McCleary, 98, of Freeman Twp. died Saturday night, Aug. 8, 2009 at Bangor Nursing and Rehab. in Bangor.

She was born March 9, 1911 in Kingfield, the daughter of Orin and Ada (Durrell) Nichols. She attended school in Kingfield and married Galan Therrien in 1929; he died due to complications from an auto accident. As a young woman, Pearl worked at Tim Pond Camps and remembered waiting on world champion boxer Jack Dempsey. Later she worked for C.H. Mallory Farm in South Strong, and then for Forster's Manufacturing in Strong. She remarried in 1976 to Arthur McCleary and he passed in 1999. She was a member of the Nazarene Church in Strong and loved to play beano, cards and to cook.

Survivors include a daughter, Gaylene Rackliffe and companion, Carl Coffin, of Brewer; a son, Jeffrey Therrien and his wife, Norra, of Strong; a step-son, David McCleary and his wife, Ann, of Farmington; nine grandchildren, Joyce, Debbie, Lou Ann, Richard, Jennifer, Galan, Joshua, Julie and Jeff; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nadine Nichols of Kingfield and Phyllis Atwood of Portland; several nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special niece, Marsha Doherty.

She was predeceased by two husbands; a granddaughter, Jodi Therrien; two brothers, William and Hayden; and six sisters, Wilma, Irma, Elgie, Jackie, Hilda and Shirley.

A graveside memorial service was held Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 at Sunnyside Cemetery in Kingfield with Rev. John Evans officiating.

Donations may be made in her memory to Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation, 103 Texas Ave., Bangor, Maine 04401.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the Web site: adamsmcfarlane.com.