LEWIS, PAULINE ANNIE - After a period of declining health, respected educator, Pauline Lewis of Fredericton, has died at the age of 84, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Tuesday, February 21st, 2012. She was born April 8th, 1927 at Monteagle, New Brunswick, the daughter of Duncan and Cora (Lewis) Lewis. Pauline is the last surviving member of her immediate family. At an early age Pauline moved with her family to Andover NB, where she attended local schools, graduating from Andover High School in 1944. Pauline delivered the valedictory address for her class and she received the Governor General’s Medal for Academic Achievement.
She attended the Provincial Normal School the following year graduating in 1945. She received her Bachelor of Education from UNB in 1968. Pauline was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship in 1968 to further study in her field of choice, Early Childhood Education, at Tufts University, Boston. She graduated in 1970 with a Masters Degree. Pauline’s teaching career began in a one room school in Lower Durham and over many years she taught in Marysville, Forest Hill, Albert Street, Connaught Street, and finally in Smythe Street Schools. She also taught in St. Stephen and Andover, NB as well as Alberta and Scotland. Pauline taught the primary grades and in particular grades one and two. She developed a program for the Fredericton School District for children who required additional skills to attend a classroom. Pauline was asked to become the District Supervisor of Elementary Education in 1975 and continued in this role until her retirement in 1983. In retirement, Pauline shared her time and talents willingly. She served on the Chalmers Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered in schools with students who struggled, and she provided extensive service, in particular, to her church, Grace Memorial Baptist, including six months as an educational consultant for schools in Albania. Pauline’s interests were many and varied from gardening, cooking, reading, entertaining, photography, stained glass, refinishing furniture, quilting, rug hooking, painting Easter eggs and traveling. She cherished her time at the cottage at Yoho, where she could be found from July 1st until Labour Day each summer. She particularly noticed colour and shapes in nature and would be the first to mention something extraordinary. Pauline enjoyed people, especially children, and made an impression on everyone she met. She was very close to her family and friends and enjoyed the hours she spent with each one of them. In addition to her parents, Pauline was predeceased by four sisters, Doris (Roy) Russell, Linda, Daphne and Irene Lewis and four brothers Gerald, Wendell, Wayne and Ronald Lewis. Pauline is survived by several nieces and nephews, in particularly Jennifer Sauerteig and Dick Russell of Fredericton, many great nephews and nieces, and a God-Daughter, Janet Mitton. She will be missed by a multitude of wonderful friends and their families who enjoyed her passion for life.
There will be no visitation, however a memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday February 25th, 2012 at Grace Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Hapeman officiating. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund, Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton, NB. 458-9170. www.mcadamsfh.com