Pauline Gibbs Smith January 26, 1946 — November 27, 2023
Dearest frien
ds and family, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Pauline A Smith, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend to countless many. Pauline passed at home after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer the morning of November 27th, 2023 with her husband and daughter each holding a hand.
Pauline was born in Nottingham, England, in 1946. She graduated from Edmonds High School in 1964 and the University of Washington with a degree in Botany in 1975. Pauline worked in the gardening industry most of her life, including 25 years as the co-owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville with her husband, Steve.
Besides spending time with family and friends, Pauline loved the outdoors, quilting, reading, gardening, and most of all, traveling. Pauline will be remembered as Loyal, Classy, Smart, Compassionate, Resilient, but most of all, by all accounts, as the kindest person most of us have ever met.
She is preceded in death by her son, Tom and both of her parents. She is survived by her husband Steve and her daughter Mary; her sister and two brothers, 4 step children and 7 grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the Marysville United Methodist Church on
January 27th, at 1:00 pm followed by a reception. Please come and share your stories.
Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jan. 13 to Jan. 14, 2024
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldnet/name/pauline-smith-obituary?id=54095847
Linn Erickson (Staab)
Polly and I were friends in high school, getting to know each other in Girls' Club activities. After graduation, we headed in different directions, and even after we were both back home she was raising her family in Seattle, I was raising mine in Kirkland, and we saw each other mainly at class reunions. Twenty-four years ago after I moved to Everett, I went plant shopping one day and discovered her at the nursery that she and her husband owned. We had a lot to catch up on, and over the years became dear friends. We belonged to the same quilting group, began attending class picnics together, and I relied on her for her expert gardening advice. I'm so grateful for our rediscovered friendship. She was a lovely friend to have, always gracious and welcoming, always sweet and kind. I miss her, and feel blessed to have known her in this lifetime.
Becky Dunnam (Nickels)
I remember Pauline from high school as being a kind and friendly classmate. Will miss seeing her at our school reunion this year.
Pam Blume (Brown)
Pauline was always active in everything going on in high school. Such a great gal. Enjoyed seeing her at the picnic a couple of years ago. Love to all the family, she will be missed. PamBill Fulton
Pauline’s obituary points out she was loyal, classy, smart, compassionate, resilient and the kindest person most of us would ever meet.
Those words are true but there is one more descriptive word: hero
A hero is a person who is courageous in a difficult situation usually at a time of crisis.
Now, I’m not talking about helpful, like the time I was out of line in a dance and from across the room Pauline said, “Bill you’re supposed to stay in line!” No, a hero acts in a moment of impending doom without regard for personal consequences. Here is an example of her literally changing my life.
First, know Pauline and I were classmates, not chums. Ours was more of an acquaintance relationship. In this instance we were assigned to the same swimming class at Everett Community College and charged with jumping off the 10’ diving board. I’d cautiously climbed to the platform and stared out at the diving board. It looked like a gangplank.
I couldn’t make myself jump.
Every other student had plunged off the board into the pool. I was the only failure. I was shaken and slowly climbed down the ladder. Afraid and humiliated, I froze at the bottom as the other students stared at me. This was a turning point in my 18-year life. How do I escape? Where can I hide? The shame haunted me. I was at the end of my road
Pauline stepped forward from the crowd and comforted me. She said it was ok to be different and that we each had skills. “Follow yours and succeed.” It was more than her words; it was the way she said them. I walked out of the pool with a new attitude and to a new life.
She gave me the key to success. Thank you Pauline.