Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.10.2006, Side 5

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Dear Editor:
Pearl Eyford celebrated her
85th birthday at Betelstadur in
Winnipeg on the afternoon of
September 17. Pearl needs no
introduction in the Icelandic
communities, as she has been
active and has participated in
the many events related to her
Icelandic connections.
She is the remaining child
of 10. Pearl was born 14 Sep-
tember 1921 to parents Einar
S. Eyford and his wife Rann-
veig, who emigrated from Ice-
land with five children and
settled in the Lundar district.
Five more children were born
and shortly after the birth of
the youngest twins, Pearl and
Rannveig, their mother died.
Pearl has self-published
her biography. It is a story of
struggle, faith and the neces-
sity for the younger children to
be raised by friends and neigh-
bours. Pearl’s twin, Rannveig,
passed away earlier this year.
Pearl is a survivor, in every
sense of the word. She has car-
ried on throughout her life by
learning and teaching music;
by being a friend to many; by
taking a special interest in all
her nieces and nephews and
their children. She has shared
her skills unselfishly.
There were four gen-
erations at Pearl’s birthday
celebration. Her nieces and
nephews, their children and
the children’s children. It was
wonderful to see some again
and to meet the newest ones. A
special friend to Pearl, Sigga
Emerson, was in attendance;
Sigga is a foster sister to the
late Rannveig (Midford).
Nieces (daughters of Pearl’s
sister Runa) Nancy Vigfusson
and Thelma Chopek, along
with nephew Ken Einarson’s
widow Diana; Pearl’s brother
Eddie’s daughters, Lillian
Halldorson, Wendy Urban and
Edith Zeke; her sister Ranny’s
daughter Donna Workman,
were all in attendance with
their children and grandchil-
dren. It was a happy gathering
and a wonderful tribute to their
Aunt Pearl, who has shared
in all their lives for so many
years.
The birthday party was
all about visiting and good
connections. Many personal
friends from various interests
joined in the cake and cof-
fee, and there was a constant
“buzz” of people visiting the
entire afternoon. Her friends
from her music world; her
classmates from Icelandic lan-
guage classes; her friends and
neighbours from Betelstadur;
her Pastor Michael Kurtz of
First Lutheran Church with his
wife and son; her bridge play-
ing pals and friends from vari-
ous stations.
Pearl keeps busy and in-
volved in many ways. She
leads the exercise class at
Betelstadur twice each week;
she is the editor of the resi-
dence’s newsletter; works in
the little staples store on the
main floor, which is available
to the residents; helps setting
up for the catered meals in
their main room; keeps baking
pönnukökur and other Icelan-
dic favourites for others.
Pearl was one of our group
on an Iceland charter in 1994.
It was a wonderful time as
we celebrated the very first
Þjóðræknismót (convention)
of North America and Ice-
land. She offered to accom-
pany on piano the great voices
we brought from Manitoba
and BC to sing “Hvað er svo
glatt.” We did not realize the
performance would be held in
the new Reykjavík City Hall,
filled with brass and glass dé-
cor. Of course, we instantly
became “shy” and frozen in
time thinking we were actual-
ly going to sing to the people.
We had rehearsed, but were
not expecting such pomp and
circumstance. We imagined
we would be singing in a little
room somewhere. However,
Pearl carried us through!
Pearl has been to Iceland
several times and has kept her
connections with family. She
is very familiar and has a good
knowledge of the Icelandic
language, which has served
her well. She is an honorary
member of the infamous tour-
ing group known as the ABC
Association in Iceland.
When you have a glass of
wine — wherever you may be
— make your personal toast
to Pearl on her new year. Til
hamingju!
Evelyn K. Thorvaldson
Winnipeg, MB
Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15. október 2006 • 5
The Icelandic Archives of British Columbia have a number of early photos from Riverton and Hnausa, MB needing information. If you have any information on
this photo, please contact Robert J. Asgeirsson at (604) 536-9377 or robasg@telus.net
Photo 4. Robert Ásgeirsson remarks: “Here’s another quite interesting photo that lacks identification other than what is written on the back in pencil: ‘Little Grind
Stone.’ There may be a description in one of the many books out now, but I’m not aware of it at this time. Perhaps your readers can identify it or point to a source for more
complete information.”
Do you know these people?
PHOTO © 2006 I.A.B.C.