Pearl J. Kitchen's Obituary
Pearl Jeanette Kitchen, aged 94, quietly passed from this world and was welcomed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday December 18, 2023. Pearl was born on June 23rd, 1929; the first of three children born to Peter and Josephine (Witt) Baker of Muskegon. She was a beautiful young woman, catching the eye of many a potential young suitor. Then one day a young man named Walter Kitchen happened to catch HER eye, and the two soon began dating. As they fell in love, Walt would often boast how he had found a “true gem” in his little Pearl from Emerald Street. On November 3rd, 1950, the two were married at Pearl’s home church; Allen Avenue Christian Reformed in Muskegon. Though Pearl had been employed at Hackley Bank, she would stay home to become a dedicated mother and homemaker, once their children were born. She never returned to work, but she remained a faithful servant of the Lord and a life-long member of Allen Avenue church, where she was involved with the choir and the congregational care team for many years.
Pearl was an ice cream and coffee kind of woman, both literally and figuratively. She loved entertaining large groups of friends, and always kept an immaculate and welcoming home, in anticipation of visitors stopping by. She truly enjoyed the non-stop, exciting life that she and Walt shared through years of vacationing and travel. In contrast, however, Pearl delighted in the joy that simple and quiet visits with a few close friends and family would bring to her. She loved her family, and she really loved being a grandma. Some of Pearl’s happiest moments came while playing dress-up with her great granddaughters, making silly snap-chat videos with them, and spoiling them with chocolates and other sweets whenever (she thought) their parents weren’t looking.
Even as age came upon them, through nearly 72 years of marriage, the flame of love that Walt and Pearl had for one another never dwindled. Every night the two would join hands in prayer as they lay in bed, and then profess their love for one another before drifting off to sleep. Sadly, Walt was called home in August of 2022. Although she was heartbroken, Pearl found the strength to carry on through the support of her loving friends and family. As she now rejoices in the eternal presence of her beloved Walter, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, those who loved her most are left with so many fond memories, which we will carry within our hearts and minds……until we soon meet again…
A memorial service for Pearl will be held on Saturday January 27, 2024, at 1:00 pm, at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 695 Allen Avenue in Muskegon. It will be officiated by Pastor Mark Hofman, with a cake and coffee social to follow.
Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210.
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