Obituary of Pernina "Pearl" Capanna Hierholzer

Floyd – Pearl C. Hierholzer 88, of Floyd passed away on Monday, November 23, 2020, at Abraham House in Rome, NY. She was born in Washington Mills on September 21, 1932, daughter of the late Joseph and Rita Castellani Capanna. Pearl was a member of the Class of 1950 at Oriskany Central High School, received a BA in Elementary Education from Oswego State Teacher's College where she was a soloist in the Symphonic Choir. She graduated with a Master's of Education degree from Syracuse University. Upon graduating college, Pearl began her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher in the Oriskany Central School District. She began teaching at General William Floyd Elementary School in the sixties and she continued until she retired in 1991. She had a 37 year long teaching career and was famous for her "Magical removable finger" and the "Fly Away Bird" song. She also worked summers in the family business, Capanna's Fruit and Vegetable Stand. Pearl was a devote Catholic who served St. Stephen's parish formerly in Oriskany, NY as a Trustee, President of the Women's Guild, Director of the Children's Choir and a member of the Adult Choir. Pearl is survived by her husband, Robert who she met while teaching at Oriskany Central School District and they were married on November 19, 1960 at St. Stephen's Church in front of her entire Kindergarten Class. Also surviving is her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Frank DiGiovanna, Long Island, NY, a son and daughter -in-law, John and Teresa Hierholzer, Upper Nyack, NY, a brother, Joseph Capanna, Floyd, grandchildren; Elizabeth DiGiovanna Ledwith, Thomas, Michael, Frank, and Joseph DiGiovanna all of Long Island and Christopher Cuellar, Lauren, Scott and Natalie Hierholzer, Upper Nyack, NY. The family wishes to express a special thank you to ICU, PCU units and all the doctors, staff and specialist at Rome Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion shown to Pearl. Services will be private. There are no calling hours. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. Memorial contributions may be made in Pearl's name to: American Heart Association - Mohawk Valley, 125 Business Park Dr., Utica, NY 13502, or Abraham House of Rome, 417 N. Washington St., Rome, New York 13440 Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com