At age 75 Pauline shared the best life advice ever given: “I never thought about it, I just did it!” I suppose that statement sums up her life best. Pauline was not blessed with an easy life but she was blessed with a positive attitude toward life! She was born September 9th 1934 in Titusville Pennsylvania to Fredrick and Martha Kerr. Pauline enlisted in the Air Force shortly after graduating from Titusville High School in 1952. Although her job title was as a Clerk General Office she sidelined as a model for various Air Force promotional activities. She was assigned to the Western Air Defense Force, 28th Division, stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, California.
She married Thomas Smith and had three children: Morgan, Lynette and Tammy. In 1965 Pauline moved to Novato California to raise her family. She quickly settled into domestic life and kept the home humming along. Pauline volunteered at West Novato elementary school where her children attended. Her home was situated with the back fence against the school, a quick stroll through the backyard gate and she was surrounded by scores of children all happy to see her. Her patience and love shined through her happy smile as she greeted them by name. At home she sewed, canned and baked. Her home was filled with the pleasing smell of fresh banana and zucchini bread. Her homemade jams and jellies won the admiration of her family and friends and awards at every contest she entered them in. Her recipes were published in a charity cookbook that she helped her neighbors put together and her hand sewn clothing items were a sensation at the school’s fashion show.
Her activities expanded into little league baseball, boy scouts, and brownies. Never one to shy from volunteering she coached and stepped up as the leader in whatever activity her children were involved in, and oh what a love she had for animals! Her home was filled with tropical fish, cockatiels, cats and dogs. She spent her leisure time boating, playing baseball and canasta with her friends and neighbors. She filled her home with fun and laughter. Pauline was the type that could add fun into anything. A simple old mattress would be drug outside for a make shift trampoline, a slip and slide was meant for everyone including her. Old rolls of paper from work would become a game of hopscotch down the hallway when it rained outside. Each Halloween she would turn the garage into a haunted house for the neighborhood kids. Paulines home was where the kids liked to hang out and everyone called her “Mom”.
Pauline loved the ocean and escaped to it every chance she got. A simple day of collecting seashells from the ocean refreshed her soul. The abalone shells that surrounded her back yard fence glistened in the sunlight as a daily reminder of her great love. She also had a passion for gardening which was evident in the quantity of fresh delicious vegetables that added that something special into her canned and baked goods. But when a trip to the ocean was out of the question and gardening had been completed she relaxed on a lawn chair bathing in the suns refreshing rays. Her love of the outdoors could be plainly seen by all who met her as she was brown as a teddy bear kissed by the sun.
As her children got older she went to work for the Federal Government in San Francisco CA. Although Pauline made the best of every situation her life was not without hardships. In 1978 her marriage ended, yet she never let hardships slow her down in her mood or passion for life. She started to date and fell in love with her soul mate Jack Gibbs. He was caring and fun and the bond was instant. They both shared a love of country music and concerts became their love. Pauline enjoyed wine tasting and art fairs during her years with Jack and never missed an opportunity to visit with friends or go on picnics.
Pauline and Jack settled in Petaluma California. She was still working in San Francisco when Jack became seriously ill. She was blessed to be able to take time off work and stay home with him during his final months, having picnic lunches on the bed when he was too tired to get up. In 1993 he passed away at their home with her by his side. With the help of the wonderful caring people at hospice and her family and friends Pauline slowly began to recover from such a great loss. Yet he remained in her heart and thoughts even when her mind was failing in her final years.
She retired from the Federal Government in 1995 and moved to Colorado to be near her daughter, Lynette and her family. She helped take care of her grandkids and spent most of her time socializing at the pool with the sun as her respite. She made frequent trips to Helena Montana and in 2000 she decided to move there to be near her son Morgan and his family and her daughter Tammy and her son. She lived in the country where she could walk and visit with neighbors every day. Of course all the kids who lived nearby stopped by to visit. Who could resist Pauline’s friendly demeanor!
Pauline bounced back after bypass surgery in 1987, and from a stroke in 1996. When her chest pains returned in 2001, she was sent to Billings Montana for another bypass surgery. The surgery was a success for her heart yet another stroke during the surgery took its toll. Taking the set-back in stride, she and her cats, Kismet and Nikita, quickly settled into a retirement community where she had a lovely apartment. The complex had a full service cafeteria where the residents ate and where Pauline quickly made friends. Never one to sit still she joined every activity and went on every trip with the group. Her kids and grandkids kept her quite busy with various sporting and school activities and trips. She just loved the outdoors and no matter the weather she was out walking, miles at a time, and visiting with everyone who passed her by.
As her health declined she moved in with her son Morgan and his wife Sarah. Her daughter Tammy moved in and together Tammy and Sarah were able to take care of all of Paulines needs including 24 hour care. She continued to enjoy life, spending a lot of time outside and participating in family activities until Alzheimer’s made it impossible. She spent the last few months of her life at a nursing home, where the staff adored her, she enjoyed being taken outside, and where she peacefully passed away on August 9th, 2012 at the age of 77.
Pauline leaves behind three children, Morgan (Sarah) Smith, Tammy Smith and Lynette (Stanley) Heinricy in addition to six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who will all deeply miss her. She will also be missed by her brother Bruce (Lynda) Kerr and her sisters Isabel (Paul) Dillon and Dorothy (Don) Burns and her sister in law Julie Kerr, as well as many other family and friends. Pauline was preceded in death by her soul mate, Jack Gibbs, her parents, Fredrick and Martha Kerr, her brother John Kerr and her sisters, Mary Kerr and Annetta Sabad.
Services will be held at Montana State Veterans Cemetery located at Fort Harrison in Helena MT on August 16th 2012 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a casual potluck gathering at the Smiths residence immediately following the service. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Pauline, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com .
Erin Cobban says
My thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this time. I pray for comfort knowing that she is in a better place.
Love ya all,
Brad, Erin and new baby Wyatt
Nancy Putz says
Dear Tammy and Family,
I was very sorry to read about your mother today. I am sorry I cannot come to her service but I am in Minnesota right now visiting my mom. Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss. I know you have lots of wonderful memories of your time with her to cherish.
Nancy
Sue Phelps says
My heart breaks for the loss and sadness I know you are feeling. Mom is a great person who loved all aspects of life and everyone in it close to her. I remember the way she giggled like a school girl after motorcycle rides and the way her eyes would twinkle.
I love you all ……
Nancy & Dave Primo says
Tammy, Sarah, Smitty and Family,
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your memories keep you going. If there is anything we can do please let us know.