Mary Pearl Scarpino

Mary Pearl Scarpino, 93, of Hampton, CT passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the St. Joseph Living Center in Windham CT. Pearl was born August 24, 1920 in Hampton, CT to Ernest N. Emmons and Mary A. (Pearl) Emmons. She was predeceased by her husband Vincent F. Scarpino on January 19, 2014, by her brother Austin Emmons in March of 1995 and by her grandson Christopher Scarpino in August of 1995. Pearl lived in Willimantic, where she attended elementary school, grades 1-6 at the Oak School, grades 7- 8 at the Natchaug School and graduated, with honors, from Windham High School in 1936. Her family moved to Hampton, where she eventually met her future husband, Vincent, who was stationed there at the beginning of WWII in an Army Observation post on Hampton Hill. After high school, Pearl worked in secretarial positions for the American Thread Co. in Willimantic and later at the University of Connecticut. During the war, she served as a volunteer for the Army Air Forces Fighter Command, in the Army Air Forces Aircraft Warning Service Reserve, assuming the duty of an Aircraft Observer on top of Beech Building at UConn and in the same capacity in the town of Hampton. In the early 1940's, she received recognition for her volunteer service in the 1942 USO War Fund Campaign, and from the Office of the President of the United States, for her work on Selective Service Registration day in 1940 as well as her work with the Office of Price Administration. On April 12, 1947, Vincent and Pearl were married in the Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hampton. They lived the remainder of their lives in Hampton. In September 1958, Pearl became the Hampton correspondent for the Hartford Courant until August 1, 1975. Pearl served as Hampton Town Clerk from January of 1960 until January 1967, at that time she became involved with the organization of Parish Hill High School, eventually being hired as Secretary to the Principal. She remained at Parish Hill High School until her retirement on December 31, 1985. She was a life long member of the Hampton Congregational Church and a member of the church Ladies Aid Society. Pearl enjoyed her involvement with the Hampton Players when it was active in the town. This year, she received recognition for 80 years of Grange membership, first as a member of the Grange in Hampton, Little River Grange #36 and later when Little River Grange closed her membership was transferred to the Ekonk Community Grange #89 in Sterling Ct in 2003. Pearl is survived by her three sons, Philip and his wife Ginny, Paul and his wife Barbara, Ralph and his wife Shirley. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kathryn and husband Tim Mackay, Marina and her husband Jordan Hill, Jeffrey Scarpino and his wife Gillian, Samuel Scarpino and Daniel Scarpino. She leaves three great grandchildren, Benjamin Hill, Josephine Hill and Parker Scarpino. Pearl was a lifelong avid reader and during her retirement, she found more time for her love of literature. She also found time to pursue many other activities, such as, crossword puzzles, walking every day when she was able, tending her flower garden in the summer, watching the UConn Girl's basket-ball games and making her families favorite jellies and jams. Perhaps her happiest activity was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her funeral service will be held at Hampton Congregational Church in Hampton on April 26, 2014 at 10:30 am. Burial will be following the service at the North Cemetery in Hampton. There are no calling hours. Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. To sign the on line guest book or obtain information, please visit their website at www.potterfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Hampton Congregational Church, Ladies Aid, 263 Main Street, Hampton Ct 06247 or Hampton Fire Company, c/o Secretary Dale DeMontigny, 229 Station Rd., Hampton, CT. 06247.