Irene M. (Glinski) Pearson

Age 94, formerly of Beechview, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Beloved wife of over 70 years to the late Donald A. Pearson. Loving mother of Leonard (Diane) Pearson, Mark (Carol) Pearson, and Stephen “Charlie” (Carol) Pearson. Cherished grandmother of four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Daughter of the late Julian and Marcella (Skomska) Glinski.

Irene was deported from Poland when she was only nine years old and sent by the Russian army to a work camp in Siberia. In June of 1942, the Nazis invaded Russia and the Polish orphan children were evacuated by the British Army, now Russian allies. From Siberia, Irene and the other Polish orphans traveled through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India and Iran before finally arriving in San Diego CA. 

After a few weeks, Irene and her younger brother Richard were again relocated, but this time to Colonia Santa Rosa, Mexico. In May of 1946, Irene, Richard and 44 other children arrived at Holy Family Institute to begin a new life in America. Irene married her husband Donald Pearson in 1953. They went on to raise three sons.

Even in her final years, Irene was an inspiration to all who met her. After enduring the horrors of World War II, Irene started a new life at Holy Family Institute, going on to start a family of her own while always exemplifying the values of faith, hope and love.

Family and friends received 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL SERVICE, LTD., 2201 Bensonia Ave., Pgh, PA 15216. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 10 a.m. in St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish—St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1810 Belasco Ave., Pgh, PA 15216. Irene will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with her late husband, Donald. Burial will be held privately to the family.

In lieu of flowers, suggested donations in Irene’s memory may be made to the Holy Family Institute, 8235 Ohio River Blvd., Pgh., PA 15202 and Bridges Hospice Foundation, 4130 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146. To leave a memory of Irene, please visit our wesbite at: brusco-napierfuneralhome.com.

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