Obituary of Perla Schlesinger

Perla ("Pepi") Schlesinger, former long-time resident of Santa Barbara, died peacefully on April 20, 2015, in Houston, Texas. Pepi was born in Breslau, Germany, on February 6, 1923. She lost her entire family except for her surviving brother (Chaim) in the Holocaust. She met her beloved husband of 40 years, Joseph Schlesinger (also a Holocaust survivor) in a Displaced Persons' camp in Eschwege Germany in the American Zone. They immigrated to the United States in 1949 and were married in 1950. They lived in Boston for four years where their first child (Roxana) was born and then moved to New Hampshire where they lived for 15 years and where their second child (Alan) was born. In 1969 they moved to Los Angeles, and they retired to Santa Barbara in 1976. They loved the city and especially their home on the Mesa with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Joe died in 1990, and Pepi remained in Santa Barbara until 2010 when she moved to Houston to be closer to family. Pepi loved being a homemaker She was a wonderful wife and mother and was proud of her family. She also loved friends, and her home was always filled with visitors enjoying a good cup of strong European coffee and home-baked cakes and other treats. She never learned to drive and loved walking from her home to the grocery store or to Lazy Acres as well as to the bus stop to take the bus into town. She became a fixture on the Mesa as she walked up and down the hill on Flora Vista to and from the store or bus stop. She rarely accepted rides that neighbors offered because "walking kept her young". She remained active at her new home at the Medallion Assisted Living in Houston. She walked several times a day through the halls, and the nurses would ask her "where's the fire" as she passed their office walking briskly with her walker. Pepi is survived by her brother Chaim, in Brooklyn, NY, her son Alan and his wife Paula, in Houston, TX, her daughter Roxy Inouye and her husband Wayne, in Colorado Springs, CO, as well as 4 grandchildren (Katherine, John, and Madeline Schlesinger; Joseph Inouye). She was preceded in death by one grandson (Justin Inouye). Her spirit and her love of life will continue to inspire us all. A memorial service will be held at McDermott-Crocket Mortuary at 2020 Chapala Dr. in Santa Barbara at 3PM on June 6 with a reception immediately following at Le Cafe Stella at 3302 McCaw. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pepi's name (made payable to "The Medallion at Seven Acres") to the nonprofit Medallion Assisted Living (The Medallion, c/o Annette Betz, 6262 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77074). Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary (805) 569-2424.