Pearl Nora Aguirre Obituary (2023)

Pearl Nora Aguirre of Yakima passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the age 85. Pearl (Kitelinger) was born in Mott, North Dakota on October 31, 1938, and 6 months later her family moved to Bremerton, Washington and then Yakima shortly thereafter. In Pearl's junior year of high school she was blessed with the opportunity to join the Bledsoe family, who cared for Pearl until she graduated high school. The Yakima Valley has always been home to Pearl - it's where she met her husband, Joseph (Joe) Aguirre; raised her kids; and made a career as a union retail clerk managing non-food items at Mayfair and Gary's Red Apple Market. Pearl was adventurous, caring, and resourceful - attributes that served her well in tending to four children, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. We all miss her very much. Joe and Pearl met as kids playing on the dirt roads of Moxee and along the Yakima river. They dated while attending Moxee High School. They eventually tied the knot more than 65 years ago in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Joe went to France with the U.S. Air Force and Pearl to Central Washington University. Pearl joined Joe for a short deployment in Orlando, before the two eventually returned to the Yakima Valley and raised a family in Moxee. She lived an active and family filled life, taking RV and boat trips across Washington and Arizona with kids; traversing rural Mexico on party buses with her close friends; hosting Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter gatherings for family at home; and sitting by the fire on the Oregon Coast surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Later in life, Pearl became even more adventurous, taking trips to explore San Diego, Hawaii, and the Dominican Republic. Pearl loved the beach - she would smile as the sun's rays hit her legs, sand between her toes, gin & tonic in hand. She took pleasure in reading books, making puzzles with her grandkids, and the occasional trip to the casino. We are left with a lifetime of memories with Pearl. Her care for others came through in so many ways, including the food she served at family gatherings. She enjoyed sharing the Mexican cooking and recipes passed down by Joe's mother. Each year before Christmas, she hosted an annual tamale-making party with the whole family. She regularly watched over her grandkids and loved attending as many of their athletic events as she could. We will miss the love she showed to the entire family. Pearl could salvage anything with duct tape, fix any appliance, and transform even ordinary cloth and thread into beautiful prom dresses for her daughters. Pearl served as the family encyclopedia for many years - with an impeccable memory of our family history and the people and places of the Yakima Valley. We will miss her treasure trove of memories. Her life serves as a reminder to seek out adventure, care for others, and be grateful for what you have. Our family is forever grateful for the care Pearl received at the Cottage in the Meadow. A celebration of life will be held in the Yakima Valley in Spring 2024. Pearl is survived by her husband Joe Aguirre; children (spouses) James Aguirre, Joey (Christy) Aguirre, Jill (Jeff) Evans, and Pam (Eric) Simison; sisters/brothers-in-law Nash Aguirre, Helen Aguirre, Jennie Maes, and Sara Sifuentes; grandchildren (spouses) Emily Aguirre, Hannah Aguirre, Jeremy (Hailey) Aguirre, Jessica Aguirre, Alaina (Julian) Erosa, Andrew Evans, Jacob (Shannon) Evans, Bryan (Maritza) Simison, Erica Simison, and Kevin Simison; and great grandchildren Elsie Evans, Lena Evans, Lexi Evans, Macie Evans, and Matteo Simison. She is preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Mable Kitelinger; siblings Betty and Craig Kitelinger; sisters/brothers-in-law Eleanor Aguirre, Judith Aguirre, Lucas Aguirre, Richard Aguirre, Angelina Gonzalez, Saul Gonzalez, Raymond Maes, and Nacho Sifuentes. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. www.brooksidefuneral.com