Dinah Elizabeth Sowter (later Dinah Elizabeth, Lady Pearce) was the daughter of Robert Sowter of Gravesend and was born in 1836. She married William Pearce, who had at an early age shown himself to be an outstanding ship builder and by 28 was manager of Messrs Robert Napier and Sons. They set up home in Govan and occupied John Elder's villa for many years which was demolished to make for the Princes Dock. From there they moved to Wemyss Bay further down the west coast of Scotland.
As the wife of a successful man she was required to entertain on a regular basis but she did not allow her privileged position to stop her becoming involved in the lives of ordinary Govan people. She believed until her death that working people had been let down by the government. Her husband became MP for Govan in 1885 and became a baronet two years later. Sir William was at the peak of his career and had by then become owner of Fairfield Shipyard Company which was by then a world leader. She is particularly remembered for her involvement in helping to set up the well-known project 'Fresh-Air-Fortnight' which meant that sick children were able to have a holiday usually at the seaside but also in the country in order to help their recovery. She was on the school board of Govan Parish from 1873 and during that time argued for female representation on school boards.
She had a strong, enduring friendship with Margaret Macgregor and Lady Pearce had a church erected in Margaret's memory. Lady Pearce became more deeply involved in religion through her friendship with Margaret. Like Margaret, she was non-sectarian in her approach to her philanthropy and made contributions to all the churches. It was said of Lady Pearce, "Any community was well off where there was a 'Good Angel' in the district, with a liberal heart and a readiness to help forward the best interest of the people and the district".
Lady Pearce set up the Pearce Institute in 1906 as a gift to the people of Govan. It is a beautiful A-listed building containing a public hall, library and other rooms. She was a generous supporter of the Govan Press fund and was concerned about the wellbeing of soldiers, disabled children and anyone suffering hardship. To the end she continued to have an interest in the work of the Pearce institute.
She died at the age of 82 in 1918 at St Brandon's Wimbledon where she had lived for many years.