Victoria Anne Pearce was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the eldest of four children. She immigrated to the United States in 1965, eventually settling in Savannah, Georgia, where she spent the rest of her life. A retired librarian of 38 years, Victoria believed deeply in the power of stories to heal and connect. She was known for her impeccable taste in literature, her hand-knitted scarves, and her ability to recommend the exact right book for any occasion. She is survived by her son Andrew, daughter Fiona, and five grandchildren who each received a curated reading list as part of their inheritance.
🎵 Memorial Song
🎵
In His Gentle Arms
Alvaro Barrera
🇺🇸 English
[Verse 1]
She walked so gently
Like morning on the floor
Hands full of kindness
Always giving more
She kept a quiet mercy
In the way she’d say your name
And every room grew softer
When she walked in, it changed
[Pre-Chorus]
Now the road is over
And the tears fall down
But I can כמעט see the welcome
And the holy crown
[Chorus]
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Jesus has called her home
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
No more pain, no more night
Held in His gentle arms
[Verse 2]
Her table was open
Her prayers were steady and low
She loved with open hands
More than most could know
And if we feel the silence
It’s only for a while
‘Cause heaven has her laughter
And the touch of her smile
[Pre-Chorus]
Now the road is over
And the tears fall down
But I can almost see the welcome
And the holy crown
[Chorus]
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Jesus has called her home
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
No more pain, no more night
Held in His gentle arms
[Bridge]
We lay her down with hope
Not sorrow that won’t heal
For every seed of kindness
Was love the world could feel
And when we miss her dearly
We’ll lift our eyes above
She’s resting where He found her
In perfect peace and love
[Final Chorus]
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Jesus has called her home
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
Held in His gentle arms
We will see her again
Held in His gentle arms
She was the reason I became a librarian. Not because she told me to — because watching her work made me understand it was a calling, not a job.
— Ruth Ann Calloway
7 months ago
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Grandma sent me a book every birthday until I was 30. Always with a handwritten note explaining why she chose it. I have all of them still.
— Liam Pearce
7 months ago
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Mrs. Pearce helped me find my love of reading when I was twelve and struggling in school. She found me a book about a boy who looked like me and cared about things I cared about. That was everything.
— Daniel Osei
7 months ago
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Victoria was my closest friend for 40 years. We met at a library conference in 1983 and I never stopped talking to her. I will miss her letters most of all.
— Mary Gallacher
7 months ago
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Mum, you gave me the gift of books and through them an entire world. I am still inside the one you built for me.
— Andrew Pearce
7 months ago
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My mother crossed an ocean with almost nothing. She built a life of complete fullness. I am in awe of her and I always will be.
— James Pearce
7 months ago
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She showed up to my first book club meeting in 1992 and never missed a single one. She always had the best questions.
— Anne Whitfield
7 months ago
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Victoria catalogued the largest private donation in our library's history — 4,000 volumes — by herself over three months. Her dedication was unmatched.
— Dr. Susan Lambert
7 months ago
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The library will feel like a museum without her in it. She was its living heart.
— Patricia Doyle
7 months ago
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Gran had a book for every occasion. When I failed my exams, she handed me "East of Eden" and said: read this before you decide anything. I did. She was right.