Alma (Belinsky) Pearce, 87, of Vero Beach, FL, (formerly from Derby), passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025. Born in Ansonia CT, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Nellie (Quoka) Belinsky. Alma grew up in Oxford, CT and was a 1956 graduate of Seymour High School.
Through childhood into early adulthood, Alma helped her mom feed the family by tending to the many gardens and fruit trees on their property, picking wild mushrooms, berries and fruits, and learning how to can and preserve them for later use. She also loved animals and welcomed several cats into her home throughout her life.
In her early 20’s, she went on a blind date and met her eventual husband, Leonard Pearce, a former member of the US Navy. They were married in 1960 and enjoyed life together for 45 years until his passing in 2005. Alma worked most of her life in local manufacturing and packaging facilities — Farrel Corporation, Robershaw and C.R. Gibson, and she was consistently recognized as a hardworking and dedicated employee. Alma was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Ansonia and attended services every Sunday until she moved.
Throughout her life Alma enjoyed her bowling league and continued her passion for gardening – always sharing her fruits and veggies with family, friends and neighbors. But her most cherished times were weekends together with family at their lakehouse in Otis MA and world travels with her husband Len.
In 2011, years after her husband Len’s passing, Alma was invited to attend a church supper at St. Mary’s church in Derby CT, to help raise money for a local boy scout troop. It was there that she met Pasquale Perrotti. She truly enjoyed the many large family outings with his family and friends. She would spend the next 13 years with him until his recent passing in September, 2024. She and Pat would attend regular Monday luncheons at the local Wendy’s restaurant where they shared stories and laughs with the many friends they made there.
Alma is survived by her two children, Len Pearce and his wife Cathy of Hutchinson Island, Florida and daughter Linda (Pearce) Ahearn and her husband Dave of Errol, NH; her grandchildren, Emily and husband Lucas Grafton, Julia, Mary and husband Rei Phillippi, Ashley, Allison and Billy. She was predeceased by her husband Leonard G. Pearce, brothers Lewis and twin brother Allan, and longtime companion Pat Perrotti.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hidden Lakes Rehab and Yvette and Marie for their loving and devoted care.
Visiting hours will be Friday, April 11 from 4 – 7pm at Jenkins-King Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St, Ansonia CT. Funeral Services will be Saturday, April 12th at 10:00 at the First United Methodist Church of Ansonia, 47 Franklin Street followed by burial at the Pine Grove Cemetery.
