Lakeland FL – Marie Pearl Christianna passed away December 11, 2025 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. She was 96 years old.
Born November 23,1929 in Saugerties, NY, she was the daughter of the late Peter McManus and the late Evelyn Riley McManus. She was a graduate of Saugerties High School, Class of 1947 and married her long-time sweetheart Raymond J. Christianna on April 16, 1950.
Pearl worked as a teacher's aide in Special Education in Saugerties Central School District and was known for her quiet but firm personality. She was a recognized volunteer in youth groups and women's clubs and in her spare time enjoyed doing ceramics and various crafts, including holding weekly craft sessions with neighborhood children.
Following the retirement of Pearl and her husband Raymond they moved to Lakeland, FL where they resided for 35 years. Pearl enjoyed frequent visits to Walt Disney World and became active in social groups and planning entertainment for their community, Sandpiper Country Club.
Not known for her love of cooking, Pearl and Ray enjoyed daily rides and lunches at their favorite restaurant, Andrea's in Winter Haven. It became their second home and the staff was their second family. They checked on them when they didn't show up for a few days and celebrated milestones like birthdays and anniversaries with a cake & balloons. Regulars knew them and would chat about their families and pets with "Miss Pearl" and engage in debates about the NY Yankees with Ray.
In addition to her husband of 75 years, Raymond J. Christianna, she is survived by her daughter Nancy Beers and husband Alfie of Catskill; her son, Raymond M. Christianna of Orlando, FL; three grandchildren Shawn Beers and wife Lisa, Jill Beers and her husband Todd Iten and Jamie Beers and wife Lisa of Catskill; three great-grandchildren Alexis Beers, Dylan Beers and Kylie Beers; her sister Patricia Buono; her brother Joseph McManus and partner Karen Terwilliger and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sister Helen and brother-in-law Richard Buono.
Cremation was private. A service is planned for the Spring to inter her cremains in the family plot in Saugerties. Please offer your condolences for Pearl and her family online at www.BuonoFuneralService.com .