Lois Carolyn Pearson
Lois Carolyn Pearson, age 88, former Associate Dean of Drexel University's Nesbitt College of Design Arts, died peacefully on Thursday, October 7, 2010, at the Shannondell retirement community, in Audubon, PA.
Formerly of Devon, PA, she was born on May 6, 1922, in Jim Thorpe, PA, she was the daughter of the late Walter C. Helman and the late Ilda M. Helman (nee Felsburg). Her beloved husband, William Pearson, of Devon, PA, to whom she was married for 45 years, preceded her in death. Her son Robert Pearson also preceded her in death. Survivors are two sons, William Pearson II and wife, Ruth, of Potomac Falls, Virginia; Albert Pearson and Cindy, of Radnor, PA; five grandchildren; and her brother Robert Helman and wife, Joan, of Bethlehem, PA. She was a resident of Devon, PA from 1954 to 2003 and an active member of The Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, PA.
A graduate of Mansfield University (B. S.) and Drexel University (M. S.), she began in the College of Design Arts as a graduate assistant and moved through the ranks to full Professor. She served as Head, Department of Human Behavior and Development (1976-1984), and then as Associate Dean of Nesbitt College of Design Arts (1984 – 1989). She was active in local, state and national professional home economics organizations.
As Associate Dean, Lois Pearson served as the advisor for graduate home economics coursework and for the Kappa Omicron Nu honor society; and assisted with development of new academic programs including the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management major. She advocated strongly for early childhood education, which led to a grant of over $1 million to the Drexel Early Childhood Center in 1975, where she served as Executive Director.
Her honors and awards included: the 1967 Recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award from Mansfield University; the World Who's Who of Women in Education; Who's Who of American Women; Kappa Omicron Nu, National Home Economics Honor Society; Certified Home Economist (C. H. E.) by the American Home Economics Association; and the Legion of Honor, Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia. She was a charter member of Les Dames d'Escoffier in both the international and Philadelphia chapters.
Earlier in her Drexel career she was the supervisor of student teachers in the College of Home Economics Education where she would place and observe about twenty student teachers each term, in high schools across the Delaware Valley. Lois Pearson was more than a teacher to her students; she was a valuable mentor, career advisor and in many cases a lifelong friend. On many occasions, Lois Pearson would share her home, her hospitality and her family traditions with visiting foreign students during holidays.
Memorial gifts may be made to a scholarship fund that is being set up, in her name, for the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University.
Friends and family are welcomed to attend a memorial service on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11 am at The Church of the Good Samaritan, 212 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli, Pa 19301. Int. to follow immediately after the memorial service on the Church grounds.
Arr. By Alleva Funeral Home Inc. Paoli, Pa.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
February 27, 2011
So sorry to hear of Mrs Pearson's passing. I think of her and Bill Pearson often as well as the Pearson family. Bill adn Lois were two Special People.
Bob Fad
October 16, 2010
Mary-Ann Urbanovich, '84
To the Pearson family:
I had the pleasure of serving as the Student Dean and sitting with your mom on the Nesbitt Dean Search Committee back in the 80's and have fond memories of those meetings with her and the rest of the faculty. What a warm person she always was with a smile to cheer anyone.
My thoughts are with you all at this time.
October 15, 2010
So sorry to hear of Loie's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathies and our prayers for her and all the family.
Betty Cocozza
Patricia Cocozza
Kate
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