Carthage - Pearl M. Gaines, 91, died Monday morning, September 22, 2014, in the Skilled Nursing Unit of the Carthage Area Hospital where she has resided since January.

Pearl was born in Piercefield, on October 26, 1922, the daughter of the late John and Mabel Monette Brown. She attended Holy Family School in Watertown. She married Ralph F. Gaines on March 25, 1960 in Black River. The couple lived in Champion Huddle from 1962-1989 and moved to West Carthage at 79 1/2 Champion St. for 16 years. Ralph died on August 31, 1995. She was married previously to Bernard Taylor who died in 1982. Pearl worked in the Converting Dept. of the Crown Zellerbach Corp. and later at Chapin Watermatics in Watertown.

Pearl was a member of the Red Hat Society, Brady Acres Senior Citizens and the St. James VIP's.


She is survived by her three daughters: Joanne (Gary) Deskins of Felts Mills, Betty (James) Wilton of Carthage and Janice (Roland) Houghton of Hammond, 10 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren, a brother: Earl Brown of Ilion and nieces and nephews. Four brothers, Carl, Elmer, Tommy and John Jr. and two infant sisters, Wanda and Betty died previous.


Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church with the Rev. George F. Maroun, Pastor officiating. Burial will be in Black River Cemetery. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Wednesday from 4-7pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Fund of St. James Church or to the Activities Fund at the Skilled Nursing Unit of Carthage Area Hospital.