Obituary: Pearl Fuchs Schechter
Pearl Fuchs Schechter, 102, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Chapel Hill, NC. She was born in the Bronx, NY, on May 18, 1919. In 1941 she married Sol Schechter and moved to Kinston, NC, where her father, Sam Fuchs, was in shirt manufacturing. She and Sol adored and delighted in each other, and were a loving partnership until his death in 2005. Pearl joined Hadassah in 1941, and remained a member and fundraiser for 80 years. She and Sol were deeply involved in a wide range of civic and philanthropic activities in Kinston. In 1995 the Kinston City Council gave the Schechters a key to the city “in grateful recognition of exceptional community service and distinguished leadership to this community.”
Pearl was an exceptional bridge player, but what most defined her was her evening phone calls to dozens of relatives around the country. She was inquisitive and sympathetic, and her genuine interest made her a much beloved figure. She moved to The Cedars retirement community in Chapel Hill in 2013, and her 100th birthday party drew 235 relatives and friends from as far away as Israel and California. Old age did not diminish her life force. She still used her exercise bike 45 minutes while watching CNN every morning and took a walk every afternoon. She attended Duke basketball games with her son Arnold, following the action with laser focus. Into her 90’s she still flew to New York City, San Francisco, Birmingham and Orlando, sometimes alone, to celebrate family events or just visit. She was still the last one to leave any party, sometimes dancing with relatives 75 years her junior until 2 a.m.
She never lost her impish good humor and wit. When a tall, young cousin at a wedding asked her, “Where did you grow up?”, the diminutive Pearlie replied, “I didn’t.” She belonged to two Durham bridge clubs, where she was known as a keen competitor. Two local television stations ran features calling her “The 100-Year-Old Bridge Champion.” During the pandemic she took up online bridge. This past spring, in tournaments with almost 200 pairs competing, she and a partner finished 15th and 7th. In June, two days before she suffered a stroke, they finished first overall.
In the hearts of her many relatives and friends she will always be first overall. A public funeral will be held at 1 p.m. at Temple Israel, 1109 W. Vernon Ave. in Kinston on Friday, December 17, 2021. The funeral service may be viewed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIvzHFkIVLQ This will be followed by a private graveside service for the family. The family requests that all attendees wear masks for health and safety. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Pearl’s name be made to SAFE in Lenoir County, a domestic violence service, 2500 N. Herritage St., Suite D, Kinston, NC 28501 or to World Medical Relief, 21275 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48206.
Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
