Mrs. Valerie Anne Pearl, 74, of Marcy, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Wynn Hospital with her loving family by her side.

     Valerie was born in Utica on January 20, 1952, the daughter of Valentine and Grace (Wilcox) Zarnoch. She was raised locally and was a graduate of Whitesboro High School. On October 27, 1972, Valerie was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kermit A. Pearl, at First Baptist Church in North Utica. Valerie was a life member of the Maynard Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in Marcy. She was a devoted animal lover who found great joy in her hobby farm, where she lovingly cared for horses, cows, goats, and many other animals. Her greatest passion, however, was horses. She bred and raised Appaloosa, Pinto Paint, and Quarter Horses with pride and dedication. Valerie was also a woman of the Catholic faith.

    Mrs. Pearl is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 53 years, Kermit; her loving son, Jared Allen Pearl and his companion, Nichole Shortell, of Deerfield; her sister, Marilyn Cyr of Marcy; and her brother and sister-in-law, Valentine and Rosemary Zarnoch of New Hartford. She is also survived by her Godmother, Gertrude Murphy of Marcy; a special cousin, Marty (Valerie) Zarnock of New Hartford; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Evan (Crissy) Pearl of Deerfield, Barbara (Kevin) Bischoping of Ballston Lake, NY, Penny (Tom) Eurich of Floyd, and Lydia Pearl of Rome. Valerie will be fondly remembered by her dear friends, Barbara Bathke of Westmoreland, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Cobb of Oxford, NY, Peter and Beverly Burns of Steuben, and Jimmy and Susan Thomas of Marcy, along with a special family friend, Donna Grippe. She also leaves behind several cherished nieces and nephews as well as her precious horses, Karma, Atticus, and Clyde; her beloved canine companions, Annie and Mycah; and her adored feline companion, Muffy. She was predeceased by her parents, Valentine and Grace, her in-laws, Kermit and Priscilla Pearl and her brother-in-law, Ronald Cyr.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., North Utica. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the conclusion of visitation. Mrs. Pearl will be laid to rest in Carr Cemetery in Marcy at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so are kindly asked to consider a donation to the Maynard Fire Department, PO Box 377, 9500 Maynard Ave., Marcy, NY 13403, or Anita’s Stevens-Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.