Pearl Jean (Bradway) Maroni, 89, of Athol, MA passed away on March 16, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 24, 1934 in New Salem, MA, the daughter of Lawrence and Gertrude (Paige) Bradway.
Pearl grew up in New Salem where she spent many happy childhood days at her great grandparents (Alba and Althea Paige) 1750’s farmstead (the Paige Farm), along with her grandparents Luetta and Stanley Paige, and family.
Pearl graduated from the New Salem Academy in 1953, and went on to earn a degree at dental school Springfield, MA and was employed as a dental assistant for the Office of Dr. Talcott in Athol, MA.
Soon after she met the love of her life, Robert Victor Maroni. Robert and Pearl were wed at the Central Congregational Church of New Salem, and the pair moved to Athol where they raised two daughters, Tracey Jean and Laurie Paige, whom they loved dearly.
Pearl was known for her generous and kind spirit, she was altruistic and always giving and thinking of others. Pearl was an avid gardener, always nurturing her flowers and herb gardens. She loved times spent at the ocean and in nature and was known to play a very competitive game of croquet. Pearl belonged to a wonderful group of friends who always gathered together when she hosted her lovely Victorian tea parties. She was a very creative woman and with her artistic eye could turn the ordinary into something magical and beautiful. Her many talents included wool hooking, felted work, rug braiding and painting, and in 2022, she and her daughter Tracey exhibited their artwork together in “Connections: Mother/Daughter” at the Petersham Art Center.
Pearl and Robert have been devoted to each other for nearly seventy years. Family was very important to Pearl and she cherished and adored her three grandchildren, Audrey Paige, Piper Rhode and Beckett Paige.
Pearl is survived by Robert, her loving husband of 64 years, daughter Tracey and her husband David of Attleboro, MA, and daughter Laurie and her husband Joseph of New Zealand. Pearl is also survived by her grandchildren, Audrey Paige Maroni Coulter and her husband Max of Boston, MA, and Piper and Beckett Dada-Maroni, of New Zealand.
A private Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly suggests that donations be made in the name of
Pearl J. Maroni to the Swift River Valley Historical Society, New Salem, MA.