Pearl Patino - A Lasting Legacy at Dakin's Thrift Shop

Pearl Patino, at a Dakin celebration of her 90th birthday, in 2024.

Even as a young girl, Dakin volunteer Pearl Patino had a knack for retail. Before opening their own collectibles business, her parents operated a roadside stand on Route 23 in Woronoco, selling fruits, vegetables, ice cream, soda, candy, and other items. Pearl, then in elementary school, helped weigh produce, calculate prices, and serve customers. In those pre-Mass Pike days, Route 23 was the main route for travelers heading west, which kept the family business busy.

Years later, Pearl and her husband, Clifford, opened their own antiques shop, Pearl’s Collectibles. They ran the business and participated in area antique group shops, glass and collectibles shows, and the well-known Brimfield shows. Their daughter, Karen, grew up surrounded by the business, and developed an appreciation for the types of items they sold. She and her three brothers carried on with their own businesses, her brothers with antiques, and Karen with handmade crafts.

When Dakin moved to its current location at 171 Union Street in Springfield in 2009, the building had previously housed the MSPCA. Karen had been volunteering there, operating a small but popular thrift shop. As part of the transition, Dakin staff asked her to stay on and help establish a thrift operation for the organization.

Pearl expressed an interest in working with Karen, and knowing that they would make a good team, Karen agreed. Together they organized and launched the shop, which initially offered pet supplies as well as collectibles, and other items for adults and children. It was a challenging job, but one that both of them were happy to accept.

“Mom had heard me talk about the shop and its challenges, and she suggested that she could help, which was fine. I was very agreeable to that,” Karen said.

Pearl quickly became an important part of the volunteer team. Together, the volunteers took responsibility for receiving donations, cleaning and pricing merchandise, organizing storage areas, displaying inventory, and staffing the shop on Saturdays.

Karen remembers her mother’s attention to detail and the pride she took in the shop’s appearance. “Mom was very fussy. Everything was clearly priced, everything in the shop was arranged just so, and that was the way she was. She got a lot of compliments on how the place looked, and she took a lot of pride in that. I heard many good comments from staff and customers. Mom came in with a lot of work experience and knew how to do this.”

Pearl and Karen worked side by side for more than 12 years, until Pearl retired in 2022 in her late eighties. Even then, she had never lost her enthusiasm for antiques and collectibles. After several years of health challenges, Pearl passed away in August at the age of 92.

Asked where her mother’s love of antiques originated, Karen pointed to her grandparents and the environment in which Pearl grew up. “When you’re around it like she was…and I feel I’m the same way, you tend to love the old stuff. That’s what I was brought up with,” she said.

Pearl’s contributions to Dakin’s thrift shop remain an important part of her legacy. Over the years, the shop grew into a noteworthy source of revenue supporting Dakin’s shelter operations, thanks to the dedication of Pearl and her fellow volunteers.

She took particular satisfaction in knowing that her work helped Dakin’s animals, especially cats, which were her favorites. But her motivation went beyond helping the organization. In a 2016 interview about the thrift shop, Pearl offered a simple explanation for why she volunteered:

“I wanted to do something useful. As much as I did it for Dakin, I did it for myself.”

Some of Pearl’s thrift volunteer team shared their thoughts about her.

Diane McKnight:

“I always enjoyed our conversations and catching up whenever we crossed paths. Pearl’s dedication to the mission and remarkable knowledge of the inventory made every chat a pleasure. Pearl brought me many smiles, and I will always be grateful for that.”

Louise Houle:

“Pearl always has been an inspiration to me. She made people feel welcome and was helpful when needed. She was the best packer of breakables (I can't be trusted with glass items). I know as I age, I'll think of Pearl. Our love for animals is the driving force that Pearl exemplified over many years.”

Jill Leroux:

Pearl was a breath of fresh air that turned bad days to good. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a warmth that filled my heart. Pearl was a cherished friend.

Pearl will be fondly remembered by many of our staff and volunteers for sharing her unique talents to help create better days for so many pets, and it was a pleasure to have known such an unforgettable woman.