Birth date: Aug 6, 1929 Death date: Jul 4, 2026
Pearl Pauline Wilkerson, 96, of St. James City, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, in Fort Myers, Florida. Born on August 6, 1929, in Moosup, Connecticut, Pearl was the daughter of the late Joseph and Blanche (Belev Read Obituary
The prior post was from my wife Sharon Wilkerson but accidentally was posted under my name.
From Scott Wilkerson. Proud Son of Pearl Wilkerson. Today we are not mourning the death of Pearl Wilkerson but celebrating her life. I wish I was able to be there in person, but circumstances prevented that. Pearl changed the world in positive ways that she never could have imagined. As her son, raised in such great parenting ways, I grew up to become a Firefighter/EMT where I was able to save lives and help people who I didn’t even know in positive ways. That continues on to include my Son Greg. So this is only a small part of Pearl’s legacy.
I Love You Mom.
We met Pearl through Greg and Erica. She was such a joy and a lovely lady! We enjoyed our cocktails and dinner with her. May the angels enjoy her company.
Pearl Pauline Wilkerson (nee’ Sadoway) was born in Moosup, CT on August 6, 1929. She was the third of six daughters born to Joseph Alexander Sadoway (ne’ Alexander Cukrynski) and Blanche Dora Sadoway (nee’ Bellavance).
Pearl and her sisters—Dottie, Rosie, Margie, Theresa, and Shirley—were locally known as the "Sadoway sisters." Her first husband, Leo Theriaque, was introduced to her by her sister Rosie and brother in law Walter at a dance held at the American Legion Post 91 in Moosup. Walter and Leo were friends and served together in the Navy. Pearl and Leo shared a deep love for dancing, frequently spending their time enjoying big band music, swinging, and dancing the jitterbug. Leo tragically predeceased her in 1951.
In 1955, Pearl married Rudolph "Rudy" Wilkerson. The couple relocated to Fort Myers Beach, Florida, where they created a beautiful life and family together until Rudy’s passing in 2014. Pearl and Rudy were avid travelers. They traveled throughout the US and made regular trips to Northern, Fl and New England to visit family.
Pearl held a deep belief, faith, and love for God and Southern Baptist beliefs. She read the complete Bible 14 times and regularly attended Bible study and church services. She was always excited to hold Thursday Women's Bible Study with her girlfriends from Englewood Baptist Church. Her church family and community were extremely important to her and brought her immense joy.
An avid traveler, Pearl was always up for an adventure. She loved regular trips to North Florida and New England to visit family, and cherished special getaways to Key West, Cozumel, Boston, Mystic, New Hampshire, Mohegan Sun and Newport with her daughter Sandra and granddaughter Christine.
One of my favorite stories is of Pearl and her (un)beloved GREEN Nash Rambler. Oh how she despised this car. During my life, Rudy always bought her luxury cars; T-Bird, Lincoln, Jaguar, Grand Marquis, etc. Pearl couldn't tell you the mechanical side of a vehicle. I find it quite comical to see Pearl complaining to Rudy about hating the Rambler. How it always broke down but the second Rudy arrived to help, the Rambler magically started. I can visualize, 3193 Cutlass Drive, Fort Myers Beach, 16 year old Sandra outside with Pearl. The Rambler ignites. Pearl shouts repeatedly, “let it burn, let it burn, let it burn”. So out of character for such a Southern Belle. This sealed the deal for Pearl always having the final say.
Pearl is survived by her loving children: Sandra Bernat and husband Rich; Scott Wilkerson and wife Sharon; Bruce Wilkerson and daughter in law Melissa Wilkerson. She was the cherished grandmother of Richard Bernat, Jr. (Christy), Christine Kilduff (Kevin), Gregory Wilkerson (Erica Klopf-thank you), Ian Foster, and Brice Wilkerson; proud great-grandmother of Hunter-Cole Kilduff; and great-great-grandmother of Hudson Reid Kilduff.
She also leaves behind her sisters, Dorthy Smith and Shirley Lamothe, alongside numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her husbands, Leo and Rudy, and her sisters Rosie, Margie, and Theresa.
My grandmother had a few wishes she shared with us. As her first and only granddaughter I am privileged for her to leave me her eternity ring and am eagerly awaiting for my Uncle Bruce to send it to me. My mom, Sandra Bernat, her daughter, was left her diamond wedding ring and double bands. When she died she wanted these rings passed onto me and my mother to pass on to the women in future generations of our family to keep her memory alive.
Pearl lived a remarkably full, faithful, and love-filled life. Her family imagines her now in her glorified body, enjoying caramel chocolates, highballs, sea scallops, and vibrant fall foliage.
You were a wonderful Mother-In-Law for 19 years. So glad I was able to visit you in your last few days. I will miss you dearly. RIP
Love, Melissa Wilkerson
