Pearl R. Slack, 81, of Lopatcong Township, formerly of Phillipsburg and Frenchtown, is now “absent from the body and at home with the Lord” (2nd Cor. 5:8). She was called home on Thursday, March 27, 2008 from Easton Hospital.

Pearl graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1945. She then attended Empire Beauty School in Easton, graduating when she was 19. Having received her cosmetology license, she operated the Mary Ann Beauty Shop in Frenchtown, until her retirement in June of 1998. All in all she was a beautician for nearly fifty years..

Born January 22, 1927 in the Finesville section of Pohatcong Township, Pearl was a daughter of the late Winfield and Lena Belle Wean Shoemaker.

Pearl lived on Harrison St. in Frenchtown for nearly 45 yrs, moving to Phillipsburg in 1998 upon her retirement. Pearl was a member of the River of Life Presbyterian Church, where she very active, and greatly loved. She helped to organize the River of Life Clothing Closet and volunteered visiting shut-ins and those in nursing homes. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post, Frenchtown and a member of the Riegel Ridgers, (a women’s group that benefited the Riegel Ridge Community Center in Holland Township). Pearl was also a former member of Frenchtown Presbyterian Church.

Pearl is survived by two sons, Pastor William O. Slack, II and his wife Tina of Phillipsburg and Robert H. Slack and his wife Joan of Forks Township; a daughter, Mary Ann Carey and her husband Mark of Fairbanks, Alaska; two sisters, Penny Reed of Lopatcong Township and Joyce Hoxley of North Carolina; eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Pearl was pre-deceased by four brothers, Orville, Clarence, John and Harold Shoemaker and three sisters, Gladys, Viola and Evelyn Shoemaker. She was also pre-deceased by her former husband, William Opdyke Slack.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at River of Life Church, 445 South Main Street, Phillipsburg. Arrangements are under the direction of the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main Street, Phillipsburg. Online condolences may be submitted by visiting www.noto-wynkoop.com. Those planning an expression of sympathy, are asked to consider donations to the church in Pearl’s name.

Just prior to Pearl’s passing, she wrote these words: "Praise the Lord that I am with Him now, free of pain and sorrow. Now joy abides and my life is filled with His blessings. Lift your hands in praise and sing a song. See you all soon. I love you, Pearl"