Winifred Clowe Pearson

PEARSON, Winifred Clowe (1927-2021) - Beloved wife of the late Paul Pearson (1926-2000); devoted mother of Thomas (Sally) Pearson of Atlanta, GA, Jean (Daniel) McCabe of Centerville, OH, and Andrew (Linda) Pearson of Lexington, KY; loving grandmother of Meghan Pearson, Caroline Pearson, Tara (Brent) Malcom, Kyle (April) McCabe, Lauren (Travis) Somers, Paul Pearson, Abigail Pearson and Thomas Pearson; dear great-grandmother of Pearson Malcom, Theodore Malcom and Adeline Somers; cherished sister of Julia Reynolds of Boynton Beach, FL. 

Winifred Clowe Pearson of Oxford, Ohio, former First Lady of Miami University in partnership with husband, Paul G. Pearson (MU President, 1981-1992), passed away in Centerville on August 27. She was 94. 

Winifred was born and raised in Lake Worth, Florida and later attended Florida State University.  Paul attended the University of Florida and the two wed on June 30, 1951. Their loving marriage was a true partnership of complementary skillsets and talents until Paul’s passing in 2000. 

Early on she had a passion for education as a Spanish and English teacher in Florida. At Miami, Winifred fell in love with the campus community and became an ardent supporter of Miami programs, with a particular affinity for athletics. In addition to attending as many volleyball games, hockey tournaments and other athletic events as she could, Winifred also enjoyed attending lectures and other MU sponsored functions. She was always an advocate for lifelong learning and academic pursuit at Miami. She relished her commitments as First Lady for eleven years alongside Paul. Her natural inclination to be relationship focused, recall details about others’ lives, and simply have a genuine interest in the pursuits and potential of those around her caused her to excel in her unique role. 

Winifred also extended her gifts and talents to the greater Oxford community. She was active with many organizations and was a Board Member of Hospice of Miami Valley, The Knolls of Oxford, Westover of Hamilton and Children’s Services. In addition, she was a volunteer at Planned Parenthood and McCullough Hyde Hospitals, and an active member of PEO. 

Her children are incredibly proud of her accomplishments, but remember Winifred most as being a family-focused, loving mother. Her Florida roots beckoned her regular return with her husband and children, and later on her own, to visit her sister, Julia, and other extended family. Winifred and Paul bestowed their deep-set values on their family including self-worth, a love for others, academic pursuits and an appreciation for nature and the environment. Her love for all living things also extended to animals, as she was a tender-hearted animal lover. 

Winifred was beloved in both her family and in her community. She leaves behind an indelible mark on the lives she so profoundly impacted. A memorial visitation will be held at the Ogle and Paul R. Young Funeral Home, 5086 College Corner Pike, Oxford, OH 45056 on Friday, November 26, 2021 from 12 pm until 2 pm.  For those wishing to give back in Winifred’s name, please consider (in lieu of flowers) a donation to the Paul & Winifred Pearson Scholarship Fund in Arts & Sciences (#3071-001) at Miami University 725 E. Chestnut St., Oxford, OH, 45056.