Pearl Earlene (Boller) Cortay, 84, of California, died May 9th, 2015 in Eureka, CA. She was born May 29, 1930 in Denton, Montana to Julius and Ruth (Campbell) Boller . She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Charles Cortay, and her older sisters, Betty Crabtree and Judy Dickerson. Surviving siblings includes Helen “Tommie” Clark and son Jack, Peg Lindberg and her children Tom, Miichael, Trudy, and Margo, Ruth Eastman and her daughters Stephie and Judy. Also, Pearl's daughters Shawn Cortay and Keri (Cortay) Farnsworth.
Pearl was born the seventh sibling with a brother that died quite young and five other sisters. She was raised on a sizable ranch in central Montana during the heart of the Depression. The family worked hard raising registered Hereford cattle as well as growing numerous acres of wheat. Pearl spent school years staying in Lewistown during the week with a housekeeper as caretaker. She and her sisters would then travel 40 miles back to the ranch in Denton every friday night to work all weekend with their parents. She attended Fergus County High School before matriculating to Montana State College in Bozeman, where she completed 2 yrs before moving to Portland, Oregon to work for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph as a long distance operator. She then went on to Pendelton Wollen Mills as well as Bechtold Insurance Co. before meeting her husband. She married Charles Cortay on January 31, 1959 and moved to Kalama, Washington where she started a family, a restaurant and built a home overlooking the Columbia River. Pearl and family moved to Alaska in 1969, living primarily on Kodiak Island, where she worked as a casher for many years before the family opened another restaurant. She and her husband moved back to Washington in 1981 to make Cathlamet their permanent home. They temporarily returned to south east Alaska again in 1983 to work for a major logging company until their retirement in 1994. Her husband died the following year and Pearl remained in her home in Cathlamet until she was disabled from a stroke in 2006, after which she moved to McKinleyville, California to live with her daughter Shawn.
Pearl was an excellent baker, avid reader, part-time gardener and enjoyed pursuing a wide range of hobbies over the years. She loved sport fishing with her husband and was very proud of the marlin she caught in the early 1960’s. She also loved the ocean and and was facinated by exotic shells produced by its shores. This was translated in many of the crafts and art pieces she created and owned over the years. Pearl was also extremely fond of bird watching and worked hard to provide food and a safe habitat for migrating hummingbirds. She loved playing games and was deadly at Pinochle, Cribbage & Scrabble. Pearl prided herself on reading the news daily and was always current with politics both here and abroad. She loved spending time with family and entertaining friends. Her down-to-earth nature, sincere hospitality and overall generosity made so many feel loved. Even in her advancing stages, her quick smile and kindness shone through, and you knew who Pearl was reflected in those big blue eyes.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the Hospice of Humboldt for their support in her final days.
At her request, no service will be held. Cremation has taken place, and a private scattering of her cremains will occur at a later date. Memorials may be made to the: National Stroke Association 9707 E Easter Lane, Suite B, Centennial, CO 80112.
This online memorial was created in loving memory of Pearl “Birdie” Cortay.
