OTISFIELD – Pearl E. Peaco, 99, of Otisfield, passed away quietly on Saturday, Feb. 3, at her home. She had been in excellent health until recently.

Pearl was born in North Conway, N.H., on May 7, 1908, to Frank and Emma (Towle) Haley. She graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1927.

Her teaching career began that fall at the one-room schoolhouse on Bell Hill in Otisfield.

She married Linley Dexter Peaco on Dec. 17, 1927. They had two children, Barbara Elizabeth and Gordon Linley. Her greatest joys were her family and teaching.

Prior to returning to teaching in 1942, after raising her children, she helped in the war effort by filling snowshoes for Snowcraft Inc.

She taught in various schools: Otisfield, Harrison, Casco and South Paris, as well as Oxford. She was honored by having her name associated with the Perkins-Peaco School in Oxford Village.

Pearl was a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a life member of the Crooked River Grange, Grand Chapter of the Maine Order of the Eastern Star, National Education Association, the Maine Education Association and the Oxford County Education Association-Retired. She was a life member of the Church of New Jerusalem in Fryeburg, as well as an associate member of the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, where she served as organist for many years. She was also an active member of the Ladies Circle.

She is survived by her younger brother, Paul Haley of Fryeburg; her son, Gordon of Otisfield; six grandchildren, Michael Perkins and his wife, Patricia, of Oxford, Deborah Peaco of Otisfield, Daniel Peaco and his wife, Gretchen, of Otisfield, Steven Peaco of Berwick, Thomas Peaco and his wife, Mary Jane, of Durham and Penelope Peaco of Otisfield; five great-grandchildren, Rebecca Beckett, Thomas Perkins, Amie Perkins, Zebb Duffany and Zane Duffany; one great-great-grandchild, Joshua Beckett; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by Linley, her husband of 68 years; her daughter, Barbara; a younger brother, Robert Haley; two sisters, Dorothy Kiesman and Leura Webster; and a grandson, Robert Perkins.