Pearl M. Nolan

Pearl M. Nolan “beloved mother and grandmother”

OLEAN, NY---Pearl Nolan, 92, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2022, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean. Pearl was a lifelong resident of Olean, NY and spent the last ten years as a resident of the Pines Rehabilitation and Healthcare.

Pearl (Peg as she was known to her closest friends) was born in Niagara Falls, NY but moved to Cattaraugus County at a young age. She was the oldest of seven children and became the caregiver for her siblings at an early age. She was a devoted mother and found her greatest joys in being a grandmother. Whether elbow deep in yarn helping to make a latch hook rug, playing Rummy for hours on end, or having a water gun fight in the middle of the driveway, Pearl was always happiest with one of her grandchildren by her side. Pearl loved to craft and knit and spent hours on end making sure that everyone around her had crochet slippers and enough doilies to last a lifetime. Pearl loved to sit by the river and fish and brought home every stray dog or cat that crossed her path. On Thursday nights she could be found at the St. Stephens Club with her best friend Pat Johnson and loved the time she spent at the Allegany Senior Center. Pearl was a devoted Buffalo Bills fan and during football season she could found sitting beneath her Buffalo Bills blanket ready for game day. Pearl never met a stranger and quickly welcomed others into her life and home. She loved family gatherings mostly because they gave her the opportunity to sit back and enjoy watching the people she loved most. You could find her sitting quietly in her chair smiling and laughing and then jokingly threatening to get the razor strap when one of her very grown boys got out of line. Pearl’s life was not an easy one, and she overcame many obstacles all the while teaching her family the lessons of perseverance, determination, and the importance of unconditional love.

Pearl is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Deborah and Randy Patchin of Dalton, NY, son and daughter-in-law Bill and Krystal Nolan of Lawrenceville, GA, siblings Brian and MaryAnn Knapp of Spring Mills, PA and Mike and Valerie Knapp of Shinglehouse, PA. Ms. Nolan also leaves behind grandchildren: Tammy Sue, Troy Nolan, Tina Crandall, Mike Young, Steve Young, Alyssa Nolan, and Payton Nabors along with ten great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pearl was preceded in death by sons Bob Nolan and Kenneth Nolan, parents Kenneth and Helen Knapp, and siblings Kenneth Knapp, John Knapp, Pat Knapp, and Ann Cone.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to  Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, P. O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Pearl entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Pearl, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.