For the Love of Children

PEARL WENHOLD HAS WORKED WITH CHILDREN all of her life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is used to being around a lot of children since she grew up with four brothers and two sisters. They took care of each other, she said.

She also looked after other people’s children when America’s entry into World War II brought with it a boom in the defense industry. Women and men joined defense plants to patriotically support the country in wartime.

“I’ve always loved being around children. I just think they are great,” Pearl said. “If you can make them happy, that’s all that matters.”

A resident at Masonic Village at Warminster, Pearl is a retired teacher’s aide and pediatric nurse’s aide. She took classes at Bucks County Technical School, with training at Doylestown Hospital. She finished school and became a licensed practical nurse in 1968. Her graduation picture still hangs with pride on her bedroom wall.

Pearl spent years as a pediatric nurse’s aide at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville. One day, a teacher from Bucks County Intermediate Unit, an educational service agency, asked Pearl if she would be interested in working with children with disabilities. She immediately said “yes” and spent eight years helping the children in the classroom, on field trips and getting on and off the school bus. She did this for several years before retiring.

Pearl moved to Masonic Village in September 2019 and is very happy with her decision. She has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 62 years and is a Past Matron of Lenape Chapter No. 339 in Quakertown.

“I knew about Masonic Village because I used to come down and play bingo when I was younger,” she said. “I was able to bring some things from home which made the transition easier.”

Pearl said she misses being around children. Her only child, a son, lives in Utah, and her grandchildren live far away. Fortunately, Masonic Village arranges intergenerational programs so residents have the chance to do crafts, sing, play games and interact with children.

“When we had our Christmas party in the dining room, I dressed up as Mrs. Claus,” she said. “I met two little boys in the hallway and gave them candy canes. I think children are precious.”