Van Buren, Maine - Pearl J. (Viel) Rowland passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at a Caribou hospital at the age of 89. She was born in Stockholm, Maine, on January 21, 1936, the youngest child of 10 born to the late Isidore and Delina (Theriault) Viel.

She is survived by her three loving children and their spouses, Lisa LaJoie and her husband, Gary, of Caribou, Michael Ayotte and his wife, Cynthia, of Van Buren, and Sue Cyr and her husband, Jeffrey, of Brunswick: seven grandchildren that she cherished, Adam LaJoie, Rebecca (LaJoie) Beal, Jessica (LaJoie) Danson, Casey Cyr, Holly Cyr, Shayne Ayotte and Nicholas Ayotte; ten great-grandchildren, Abigail, Emily, Isaac, Avery, Baya, Pearl, Noah and Delilah, Maverick and Ryker; one sister, Doris Karcher of Oakville, CT; one sister in-law, Roseanne (Ayotte) Emerson; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Edwina Peters, Alphina Erickson, Helena Raymond, Rose Johnson, Gilman Viel, Edmund Viel, Bella Michaud, and Milton Viel.

Pearl was a devout Catholic, attending weekly Masses, praying the rosary daily for her family and for those who needed prayers on the prayer line. She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed cooking and baking for her friends and family (especially her famous whoopie pies). Her life was dedicated to loving, supporting, and caring for her family. Being a mother was the best part of her life. She raised her family alone, and there is nothing she would not have done to keep them safe, happy and healthy. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion in Van Buren, the Evangeline Circle of the Daughters of Isabella as chancellor, and the Van Buren Columbiettes. She enjoyed monthly supper meetings and visiting with friends. She was a hard worker and a perfectionist, she began working the very young age of 15 at Beaulieu Cleaners. When she married, they moved the family to Augusta and worked at the State House for many years. Returning to Van Buren, she worked at the Van Buren Community Hospital, now L'Acadie, until her retirement.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, Van Buren. Relatives and friends may greet the family Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will be in Grand River Cemetery, Van Buren. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pearl's name may be made to: Knights of Columbus St. Bruno/Remi Parish Needs, 284 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. To share condolences online, please visit LajoieFuneralHome.com.