HERKIMER-Pearl Firra age 92 passed away on Thursday morning December 9, 2010 in Alpine Nursing Home, Little Falls where she has resided since 2005. She was born on March 13, 1917 in Herkimer, daughter of the late John and Sophia Kowalczyz. A lifelong Herkimer resident she and her siblings were first educated in the Ukrainian school in Herkimer where they learned the Ukrainian language and culture. They then went on to Herkimer public schools. For twenty years Pearl was employed by the County of Herkimer. She worked as a clerk in the County Clerks Office and retired in 1964. Pearl had a strong belief in God and was a member of the Church of Sts. Anthony and Joseph, Herkimer. In her leisure time she loved to shop and spend time watching the shopping channels on television. But her greatest pleasure was her backyard garden and the many hours she and her sister Anna would spend tending to their beautiful peonies plants as well as growing an array of garden vegetables. To all who knew her she was a lady with strong character. Any conversation with her was straight and to the point but you could always feel a warmth and friendship whenever you were with her. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers, George, Peter and Walter Firra and five sisters, Mary Firra, Anna Firra, Eva Firra, Katherine Johnson and Mary Leahy. Funeral from Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer on Monday at 9:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am in the Church of Sts. Anthony and Joseph. The Reverend Thomas Lawless, Pastor will officiate. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Monday morning from 8:30 until 9:30 am. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Church of Sts. Anthony and Joseph. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.