Mary C. Pearson

Mary Cava Pearson, 88, of Washington, passed away on April 14, 2011, at the Humbert Lane Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, after a brief illness. Born in Washington, in 1922, she was the daughter of Sam and Aquilina Cava. She graduated from Washington High School and worked for Montgomery Ward & Co. as a salesclerk and later in the business office. In 1987, she retired from the Washington Hospital after many years as an aide in the maternity department and nursery. In 1946, she married Harold H. Pearson, of Reidsville, NC, who passed away in 1973. Her long-time companion, Anthony Zelenka, Sr., of Washington, died in 2006. Also deceased are her sister, Victoria Phillips, of Washington; and brothers, Paul Cava, of Canonsburg, Albert Cava, of Washington, and Eugene Cava, of Hialeah, FL. Mrs. Pearson was a life-long communicant of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church on Henderson Avenue, and a member of the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cheering for the Steelers, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Pearson is survived by her son, Charles Pearson and wife Fern of Longwood, FL; daughter Melissa and Husband David Holzmann, of South River, NJ; grandchildren, Naomi Pearson, of Brooklyn, NY, Rebecca and husband York Lo, of Concord, MA and Winfield and Angeline Pearson, of Longwood,FL; great-grandchildren, Max and Mia Lo, of Concord, MA; her sister Rose Rock, of Washington, her brother, Frank Cava and wife Shirley, of Beaver; many nieces and nephews; and her extended family, Tony, Chris, Katrina, and Kristen Zelenka, of Martinsburg, WV and Washington. They will all miss her warm heart, loving spirit, and delicious homemade treats. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, with Father Thomas D. O’Neil as celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray.