Pearl “Parasia” Popiak was born on February 11th, 1966 in Syracuse NY.  She passed away at the age of 57 after a courageous battle with metastatic cancer.  Pearl earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from Onondaga Community College and later relocated to Honolulu Hawaii where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Chaminade University followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii.  Pearl spent the next decade working as a chief medical assistant at Kailua Family and Urgent Medical Care in Kaneohe, Hawaii.  Pearl lived on the island of Oahu until she suffered a stroke.  Pearl returned to her hometown but her heart was always in Hawaii.  Pearl had a passion for learning and was an avid reader.  She continued learning and completed a Cytotechnology program at SUNY Upstate. Pearl loved to attend church mass, Bible study groups, and many social functions in the community.  Pearl was a free spirit who enjoyed the simple things in life; she was fascinated by all of the beauty in nature.  She had a natural curiosity about the world around her and was eager to explore everything.  Pearl was well-known and surrounded by many caring people in her neighborhood.  

Pearl was survived by her nephew, Justin Vega, sister, Anna, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins in Poland and Ukraine. Pearl was predeceased by her brother, and parents.  Pearl will be laid to rest with her beloved father, Michael Popiak, at the St. John’s Ukrainian cemetery in a private graveside service.  

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Episcopal Church at 1612 W. Genesee St. Syracuse NY  13204 on Saturday, June 17th, at 11:00 a.m.