Margaret "Pearl" Blaney Marinko

Margaret “Pearl” Blaney Marinko

Margaret “Pearl” Blaney Marinko, 85, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and aunt passed peacefully on June 1, 2023 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Pearl was born in Manhattan, New York but resided for many years in Englishtown, New Jersey, after graduating from South River High School (NJ). She was a resident of Fort Pierce, FL for 47 years. She was a multi-species dog breeder for 60 years, as well as taking one of her prized chihuahuas to Madison Square Garden, where he earned the title of Marinko’s Champion Ring-A-Ding-Ding. Later in life, she would rescue her beloved pet, Rocky, a chihuahua, who she would always say rescued her.

For ten years Pearl was involved with the St. Lucie County Fair as a Fair Queen Judge, as well as a volunteer at the beer tent, where she loved catching up with students from the fifteen years she served as the school nurse’s aide at Westwood High School. She was voted the St. Lucie County Fair Senior Citizen Queen, a title she was very proud to hold! In 2002, she was chosen “Mother of the Year” by Clear Channel Radio, Wild 955.

Pearl was very active with the St. Lucie County Special Olympics, where her son John is an athlete. She was also involved with the Arc of St. Lucie County. For six years she was a Personal Supports Provider who enjoyed her time being out and about with people with difficulties. Pearl was also a foster parent to 11 children while living in New Jersey.

Pearl was preceded in death by her son Richard “Rick” Marinko, her brothers Bill and Jim Blaney. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-seven years, William “Bill” Rudolph Marinko, sons Bill Marinko (Linda), Port St. Lucie, FL and John Marinko, Fort Pierce, FL, and daughter Bonnie Coste (Thom), Lebanon, TN, and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Arc of St. Lucie County, P. O Box 1016, Fort Pierce, FL 34954; Special Olympics Florida, St. Lucie County, 1302 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982; or, Rescue Adoption, Inc., 3802 Oleander Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982.