Merrillville woman was filled with spirit of kindness

Family matriarch Pearl C. Bushemi, 95, of Merrillville, loved life, family and friends.

"Our dad passed away in 1968 and for the past 43 years mom has always been there supporting each of us five children," son John Bushemi said.

"Mom spent all those years being strong for us and never once complained," daughter Liz Bushemi said.

"How do your summarize somebody who has been your whole life for your whole life?" son Jim Bushemi asked.

"She has helped us out immensely, always positive and always on the go," Jim Bushemi said. "She had to become our mother, our father, our leader."

Daughter Ellen Schlatter said, "She was accepting of people's differences, never saying an unkind word. Mom exemplified what it means to live right, to do right and to live God's love."

Pearl was active in school, church, veterans, charitable and Democratic organizations, as well as Mothers of Twins. The daughter of Italian immigrants, she visited Italy for a family wedding in 2005, meeting her cousins for the first time. In 1946, Pearl married her late husband, Sam, who became Lake County assessor. A loving grandmother, she attended all of the grandchildren's sporting events and concerts.

On the day Pearl died, she kissed each of her five children, who talked and prayed with her.

At the funeral, her nine grandchildren presented flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary — the same flowers they had given their grandmother on her 90th birthday. The flowers symbolized admiration for their grandmother's many wonderful traits including wisdom, love, happiness, truth, her beautiful eyes and smile, innocence, forgiveness and beauty.