Tina Collins Pearson was from Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida. Tina and her younger sister, Virginia, had a wonderful childhood in spite of the Great Depression. Later, her mother owned University Florist, where Tina developed her love of flowers and gardening.

Eventually she got a job at the University, and it was there that she met her future husband, Ralph, who 'broke' on her at a dance. When the dance was over, Tina said to him, "You intrigue me", and the rest was history! They eloped on the heels of WWII and went on to have 2 children in Gainesville: Skip and Pam. Planning for their future, they bought a hotel and grocery store, but short trips to California left them yearning for more. They packed up the kids and the dog and headed west.

CALIFORNIA LIVING

In California, many significant things occurred: the birth of their 3rd child, Nancy; their newfound love of playing duplicate bridge; building a new home in Saratoga; a new career for Tina in real estate. All of those significant events started in 1953, when she decided to start her own brokerage, "Tina C. Pearson Realty", in a male dominated business world. This lead to a long and prosperous career, opening many doors and allowing her the flexibility to continue with her other passions. She became a life master in bridge, surpassing a world-wide defined milestone, by playing in a
tournament with her husband at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Tina loved to travel and took every opportunity to do so, whether it was going on business trips with Nancy, or going on a cruise up the Danube with her sister Virginia. If there was travel and family involved, she made it happen. When she was 80, the whole family traipsed around Europe - walking all over Paris and Florence, Rome and Lucerne - without slowing down a bit! She always said that when an opportunity presents itself, you have to go for it!

The recent pandemic closed down the bridge center, but as much as she loved the competitiveness of bridge, she was unfazed, choosing instead to plan the next family vacation. Maybe just Tahoe this time, where she could reminisce about the time she stayed up all night in the casino and slept on the beach all morning with Nancy. She also loved football and baseball, especially her favorite player, Madison Bumgarner ("Why doesn't the paper have more articles about how great he is???"). She loved all animals and she loved all music, from Frank Sinatra to Al Green. She was a voracious reader, and also gave to numerous charities, from Guide Dogs for the Blind to the Kiwanis Children's Fund. She also believed, as her mother taught her: "God, good, guides, guards, governs and protects, me, mine and all". And, just for the record, her favorite meal was a hot dog with a coca-cola.

Tina was "a woman to love". Strong, smart, independent, never hindered by negativity, always positive. She loved her family and friends and was true blue to them all. Everyone felt that she would live forever. She passed away in her sleep, at home, with her family right there. She would've been 100 years old next year, and a celebration of life will take place on that special day.

Tina was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Ralph, and her beloved mother and sister, as well as her corgi, Scout. She is survived by Skip, Pam, Nancy, and Nancy's husband George.

Celebration of life to be in 2021.