Pauline Michael Humphrey, 76
Pauline could always be found by following the sound of her laughter. Her contagious enthusiasm for life brought joy to those around her, and "we will miss her smile every day for the rest of our lives."
She was born March 12, 1929, in Toronto, Ohio, to Michael and Mary Cervenak. As a cheerleader at Toronto High School, she developed her natural gifts of encouraging others, loyalty to her team, and never backing down from a difficult challenge.
On March 18, 1948, she married Donald Lee Humphrey, and together they had seven children, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.
As a Marine wife, Pauline moved 33 times over her husband's 39-year career. When asked how she dealt with this, she responded that instead of seeing it as a hardship, she preferred to think of each move as getting a new house. The couple has lived the past 15 years in Lakeside.
Pauline was such a wonderful, loving and caring mother, each child believed he/she was her favorite. She was never too busy to talk or listen or to have a good laugh. She was a wonderful friend, who held a standard of life that brought happiness, comfort, and inspiration to those who knew her. She loved camping, fly-fishing, picnics in the park and instilled a deep appreciation of nature in her children.
During the Vietnam War, she was one of the originators of the Toys for Tots program. She worked for Navy Relief for over 35 years and was the coordinator for the Washington, D.C. area from 1982-1984, and she was an active board member of the Officers' Wives Club. At church, she was an active supporter of the church bazaar, the CCW, and served on the steering committee to build the new church.
She died on Aug. 31, 2005, in Philadelphia, Pa.
She is survived by her husband, Don Humphrey; her children, Don Humphrey Jr., Catherine Cioe, Elizabeth Baines, Sean Humphrey, Joseph Humphrey, and Michael Humphrey; her grandchildren, Jeff Chapman, Julia Abel, Mary Frame, Donald Humphrey III, John Humphrey, Sarah Humphrey, Danielle Humphrey, Cassidy Humphrey, Matthew Humphrey, Joshua Humphrey, and Jaclyn Humphrey; her great-grandchildren, Wyatt Abel, Griffin Chapman, and Cole Frame; her brothers and sisters, William Cervenak, Mary Dickenson, Catherine Felicia, and Michael Cervenak.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Susan Humphrey, and her sister, Margaret Davis.
"Her family is deeply grateful for the love she gave them and the happiness that she brought into our lives."
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2005, at Pope John Paul Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road, P.O. Box 277, Bigfork, MT 59911.
Pauline will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Oct. 19, at 2:45 p.m.
The family asks that donations instead of flowers be sent to Pope John Paul II Catholic Church.