A wonderful article about my Mom in the Alpenhorn News, http://alpenhornnews.com/gloria-lori-pearson-p6571-154.htm

Gloria “Lori” Pearson, 1953 - 2015 -
A volunteer with purpose and heart By Rhea-Frances Tetley

Gloria “Lori” Lynn Pearson, well known throughout the Lake Arrowhead communities as a consummate, purposeful volunteer for numerous mountain organizations, died November 2 at her home in Lake Arrowhead.

Lori was born on February 4, 1953, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Following graduation from Michigan State University in 1975, Lori moved to Southern California. Later, she entered UCLA where she earned a professional designation in Landscape Architecture, which was both her passion and vocation. One of her projects included procuring the landscaping plants and trees for the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

In 1977, Lori married and began a family in Tarzana. Lori was a devoted mother to son, Brian, and a succession of beautiful golden retrievers. In addition to working as the head buyer at Treeland Nursery, Lori was an active member with the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a leader in the local community of Melody Acres, and a regular volunteer with Guide Dogs of America.

For many years, Lori was a part-time resident of Lake Arrowhead until moving to the mountain permanently in 2004. Since moving fulltime to the mountains, Lori had dedicated her energy and talent into making the community a wonderful place to live by volunteering. Lori’s focus and attention to detail made projects in which she was involved very successful.

Some of the many organizations she volunteered at include: Rim of the World Historical Society, Mountain Meals on Wheels, Soroptimist International of Rim of the World, Arrowhead Arts Association,and Arrowhead Arts Association Auxiliary.

As a member of Soroptimist International of Rim of the World, Lori made significant contributions creating the Woman’s Health Fair and Discount Dining Card program. She planted many of the daffodils that sprout each spring, as part of Soroptimist’s community beautification projects. The “Every Girl Counts” program at MPH Intermediate School was special to her and Soroptimists honored her for “Making a Difference.”

On the Board of Directors for Meals On Wheels, Lori was a driver and coordinated the routes, scheduling drivers delivering the meals to mountain residents. She was a past-president of the Arrowhead Arts Association Auxiliary with a special interest in assisting the special-ed students in the music program.

Lori volunteered for the music program at LAE, plus taught special ed. students to kayak on Lake Arrowhead to help build self-confidence through learning new skills. She was currently involved in beginning the Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation, to teach special children how to snow ski and other adaptive sports throughout the year.

She had a special dedication to both youth and history. Through the educational committee at the Mountain History Museum she taught about local plants, trees, pinecones, and the importance of acorns to local Native Americans. As a docent at the museum, she shared Lake Arrowhead’s rich history with visitors. She coordinated many aspects of the Antique and Wooden Boat Show.

As a world traveler to Europe, Asia, South America and Africa, Lori frequented museums worldwide. She just returned from a 14-day visit to New England, where she visited the Trapp Family Lodge, chosen because she so enjoyed musicals, including The Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

While on Arrowhead Lake Association, Forest Planning committee, Lori used her landscape architecture espertise to create the Arrowhead Lake Association’s Native Plant Demonstration Garden at Tavern Bay, which has proved adaptive and native plants can thrive with minimal irrigation.

She also designed the Memorial Garden at St Richards of Chicester Episcopal Church in Skyforest, and designed and installed the native plant drought-tolerant landscaping at the Mountain History Museum for which she was honored with their prestigious ROWHS Wagon Wheel Award in 2013.

Through her quiet and giving manner in doing good works, Lori gave of her time and talents freely to aid and help others in the community. When she accepted a project, all involved recognized that she would put forth the time, effort, and determination needed for the resulting project to be successful.

Lori is survived by her son, Brian Zelner; partner in life, Jack Cooperman; sister, Elaine Pearson; nephews, Adrian and Erik; nieces, Karen and April; along with great nephews, nieces, cousins and her many dear friends. Lori was preceeded in death by her parents, Edwin and Ethelyn Pearson; her brother, Robert and sister-in-law Martha.

Memorial contributions may be given in her honor to one of the following charities: Mountain Meals on Wheels, Soroptimist International Rim of The World, and Guide Dogs of America.

A Celebration of Life service for Lori will be held at l:00 PM on Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. Additional information can be founded at www.lori.pearson.muchloved.comp://alpenhornnews.com/gloria-lori-pearson-p6571-154.htm#sthash.NffE9ge5.dpuf