Pearl Caroline Vasher (Cesar)

Pearl Caroline Vasher (Cesar)

We lovingly bid farewell to a dear mother, true friend and unconditional advocate to all, Pearl Caroline Vasher (Cesar). Pearl left an indelible legacy of genuine warmth, acceptance and kindness. Our precious Pearl departed from this world on her 91st birthday October 10, 2024. She died peacefully and with dignity in the presence of her four children, Andre, Brendan, Barry, and Katrina and their spouses.

Pearl was born in Bay City, Michigan in October 1933 to Louise Cesar (Skocaj) and Anthony Cesar. She attended and matriculated from Visitation Catholic school. Pearl graduated from Mercy College, BA and also from Wayne State University, MA. She married her lifelong dance partner, Wayne in 1956. Although Pearl often deferred to Wayne’s demanding school system administration duties and responsibilities, she carved out a robust teaching career. She was an incredibly strong, fiercely independent woman.

Pearl was an accomplished pianist, author, teacher and global adventurer. Her passions were many, from Saginaw Symphony philanthropist, fill-in tennis doubles partner and bridge player. Pearl was proud of her Slovenian heritage and baked old country dishes like potica with her granddaughter. In addition, Pearl authored a book that speaks to her family life, “Lojza and Me”.

Pearl was able to continue her education and self-improvement after caring for husband Wayne the last ten years of his life. She thoroughly enjoyed the study of religions around the world and became active in many prayer, meditation and Thai chi groups. On the athletic side she enjoyed sailing/boating and competed well in the senior age groups at the Tawas Run by the Bay and Pinewood 5Ks.

Pearl’s academic credentials include teaching pre-school, elementary, high school, and adult education at various public-school systems in Louisiana and Michigan.

As a recipient of an academic scholarship for college from the Sisters of Mercy, education remained a constant in Pearl’s life. Paying this gift forward, Pearl taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) at various parishes and led meditation groups in the Saginaw area. Pearl’s primary passion and focus was loving her four children, their spouses/partners, multiple friends, five grandchildren and their spouses and six great grandchildren. Pearl had two happy places. Rose Cottage in Tawas City on Lake Huron, established in 1968 and the Saginaw Township home were the penultimate family gathering venues.

Pearl is survived by her children: Andre Vasher (Elizabeth), Brendan Vasher (Sandy), Barry Vasher and Katrina Vasher (Cullen). And five grandchildren – Peter Vasher (Natalie), Brittany Vasher (Matej), Lindsey Schwab (Jared), Louise Hall (Clay), and Kevin Vasher (Julianne). Pearl also had six great-grandchildren: Everett, Soren, Woodson, Elias, Oto, and Matilda.

To commemorate her remarkable life, the family will host a visitation from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at W.L. Case Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603, that includes a prayer service/favorite memory sharing at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

A funeral liturgy will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, at The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607. Rev. Fr. Adam P. Maher will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pearl’s name to the Saginaw Township Community Schools Foundation at https://www.stcs.org/page/stcs-foundation or the Sisters of Mercy at https://www.sistersofmercy.org/.