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But they left us with the secret to a meaningful life in the Lowcountry: Leave it better than you found it.
The Pearsons came to Beaufort so he could open a family practice in 1959. They left a few years ago to be closer to the three sons they reared here. He died Oct. 21 at age 78. She died on Christmas Day at 75. Funeral services for both were Jan. 9 at The Parish Church of St. Helena Episcopal Church, where they are buried.
"It's often those of us who discover Beaufort who appreciate it most," said Becky Trask, one of the Pearsons' closest friends.
Dr. Pearson -- reared and educated in North Carolina -- practiced medicine for 41 years, most of it on Ribaut Road with partner Lou Roempke ("Hugh and Lou.") For many years, he was chief of staff at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
"Hugh's laid-back, relaxed manner made his patients feel at ease, and we never felt that he was rushed," said Louise "Weezie" Gibson. "He made you feel that you were the only thing on his mind at the time. If all medical schools could have a Dr. Pearson to demonstrate 'bedside manner,' the world would be a better place."
He co-founded Friends of Caroline Hospice, which has helped hurting families for 30 years and counting. He chaired its board for years and was on the vestry at his church.
Nancy Pearson co-edited the "Sea Island Seasons" cookbook along with Caroline Trask in 1980 to benefit the Beaufort County Open Land Trust. It reflected her love for gourmet cooking, but for the land trust, it's the gift that keeps on giving. Cindy Baysden said the book, named by Hugh Pearson and illustrated by Beaufort's Nancy Ricker Rhett, has sold more than 80,000 copies. It has become a regional classic, like "Charleston Receipts," and it's a delicious reflection on Beaufort County.
Nancy Pearson taught school, and chaired the county library board.
When it was suggested that the main library move from historic downtown Beaufort to the new county office complex, Nancy Pearson dug in her high heels.
"Nancy literally sat in County Council meetings every Monday for a year protesting," Becky Trask said. That was a special sacrifice because it meant she missed meetings of the exclusive Clover Club, the oldest literary society in South Carolina.
A plaque and picture of Nancy Pearson hangs in the library, but friends say the Pearsons never looked for attention.
Weezie Gibson wrote in an essay about the couple: "To Hugh and Nancy from Beaufort, 'Goodbye, thank you and welcome home.'"
