Born Sonia Pearl Schwartz, Monday June 3, 1918 in New York City to Bertha Levinson and Solomon Nicoll Schwartz.
Pearl passed away Wednesday April 27, 2005 in Portland, Oregon from respiratory failure and complications of Vascular Dementia.
She leaves behind Rowland her husband of 48 years, as well as children; David Barber and Joanna Adler, grandchildren; Sam and Gabriel Adler, and loving daughter-in-law, Barbara Barber, all of Portland, Oregon. She will be deeply missed by nieces, nephews, cousins and the numerous friends she made every day of her life.
After a short marriage to one Cameron MacNeil, Pearl set off to California to pursue an acting career.
A career that culminated in 1955 with her acclaimed role as a barroom floozy in the western potboiler “Tension at Table Rock”.
In 1956 Pearl applied for a job as assistant to a New York writer who had just come to Hollywood to bring "The Jack Dempsey Story" to the screen.
She was hired. Beginning her 48 year partnership with Rowland Barber. Over the years she aided and abetted his career, logging thousands of hours and pages of notes and critiques, while amassing a formidable body of her own writing. It was by any standards a great partnership - based on a literary flowering and a lifelong, deeply abiding love.
To many of the people with whom she crossed paths, Pearl was the kindest human being they had ever met.
Through her love and incredible sense of humor she set an example for her family & friends that will live on as a guide, for many of us, on how to live a life.
Pearl also received and gave much joy and strength through the fellowship of Alanon.
Even as her mind betrayed her, you knew that she meant it when she would say “I don’t know who you are, but I know that I love you.”
We miss you.
Rowland, David and Joanna.
A memorial party was held at Three Square Grill in Portland,
Sunday June 5, 2005.
Thanks to all of our friends and family for joiing us.
Pearl had a lifelong love of words: reading, writing and speaking them,
this love will continue, thanks to the many kind gifts to
the Multnomah County Library Foundation.
Download "A Few Words from Pearl"
In lieu of flowers, please let someone know that you love them.
There is so much more to say about this remarkable person.
Pearl's stories and pictures will continue to grow and live at this site.
We welcome your memories and thoughts.
email us and we will post them below.
barbers(at)threesquare.com
I was so lucky to have a mother like Pearl.
She was a talented mother, a wonderful friend to so many, and a loving soul.
All that knew her were touched by her in some way.
She admired those who were plucky, funny, genuine. She herself was all those things and more.
Her wit, and her one of a kind character has added so much to my life.
Pearl taught me how to be a good mom. But above all else she taught me the love of
family. She felt truly blessed to have Rowland as her loving husband and David
and me as her children.
But mom it is we who were blessed.
I love you forever
Joanna
To my darling Auntie who took me "sploring"; collecting seashells on the sandy beach.
You in your pendleton and slacks, I in my patchwork skirt, hair neatly braided in two little snails atop my head.
You bundled me up in your sporty MG and off we would go for a day of adventure.
Your warmth and generosity shaped my days and my vision of the world.
Thank you for enriching my life by sharing yours with me.
You will be missed but never forgotten. Love, Bettina
I remember Pearl as one of the most warmhearted, witty, and vital women I've ever known.
She was mentor, friend, pal, colleague, and "special family member" to me.
There was a long period of time when I still lived in Los Angeles when she and
I spoke every single morning on the phone.
I will never be able to express enough appreciation for the moral support,
wisdom, and just plain fun she shared with me.
They don't come any better, period!
Sally Henderson
Pearl Barber was a truly great lady.
We always felt honored to have her as a friend.
When we would go to the Writer's Guild films, as we walked
down the aisle, we would look for the two distinctive white heads,
and be delighted when we spotted them. A truly great couple.
Pearl had such enthusiasm about everything. She was always a young person,
no matter her chronological age. They were an inspiring couple.
Vital, intelligent, funny, delightful people.
She will be missed by anyone who knew her,
but for her familythe loss will always be there.
A special hug, and kiss to dear Rowland.
You had the best. You are the best.
Much love from,
Joanie and Jules Greenberg
I met Pearl through Al-Anon. From the first time I met her, her gracious character shown through her behavior.
She always greeted me with a personal comment and it was so obvious that she meant it.
It was easy to fall in love with Pearl, because she was so open and loving herself.
Her time with us at Steps to Serenity was all too brief. She will and already is missed.
It was hard to see her slowly slip away. I believe she is now at peace and
my heart goes out to all of you, Rowland, David and Joanna.
Thanks for sharing your mom, your love. What a lady she was!
Mary
Thanks for the great web coverage. I was so grieved, and this helped.
I met Pearl at the YMCA. She had a shirt that said THERE GOES PEARL.
What a dear time we had together ,and with Rowland too.
Thanks for sharing.So "There goes Pearl"
Miriam Covington
What a treat to know Pearl! She greeted me with "Hi darlin'" when I'd pick her up
for the Al-Anon meeting. When asked how she was, she'd say, "I'm old
and bold and gold." And indeed she was! I will always treasure the
time I spent with her. What a gift to know our gracious, funny Pearl.
Janet
I met Pearl through Al-Anon. What a lady!
She always insisted I sit next to her in the circle.
She was always ready with a hug and a kiss
(and, usually, a wisecrack!).
She had a great sense of humor,
a great sense of style
and a love for the program.
I am richer for having known her.
I miss you, Pearl.
Judi
There are so many admirable and wonderful things about Pearl that we all know about because she was
consistently a kindhearted soul. What brought me the most joy was when I would go visit her.
Sometimes she would forget that I was coming over, but as soon as she opened the
door she would light up in genuine delight. Everything to her was a delight.
Her intelligence, wit and humor leaves this world a little better.
Her love and friendship leaves me a better person. Michelle
i've been missing pearl since she left for the nursing home.
i used to love bumping into her around hillsdale...at the pancake breakfast,
popping into paloma or on her way to or from eating at three square.
she was the resident mom, always so friendly and warm.
when she would take my hand i always felt a special connection.
i'm glad she's at peace now. i'll miss her.
love nancy
I have been friends with Dave and Barbara since we were in semi-short pants (27 years, gulp),
and I’ve always considered them the best of friends. In all those years, I have only met
Pearl and Rowland a handful of times, but they always made me feel special and
interested in anything that was going on with me at the time.
What struck me most about Pearl was her humor and her energy,
seeing her running around Dan Tana’s, she always seemed
to be in motion, on the move never stopping
My Fiancée Beki and I moved to Portland
about a year ago, and a couple of
weeks later, I volunteered to take
Dave to get his knee surgery
and stay with him until it
was done. When Dave
told Pearl that I had
stayed with him,
she looked at me
and said....
”I knew there was a reason I loved you”.
Well, I love you to Pearl.
Damon