Pauline Elizabeth Dey

She was born on September 29th, 1932, to the late Hector Pollydore and Sarah Ann Pollydore, nee Crawford, of Catherineville, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, British Guiana.

She was married on December 14th, 1957, to Samuel Ezekiel Dey of Farm, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, British Guiana.

Pauline was the mother of Donna (Dudley McBean), Samuel Jr. (Andrea Jenkins), John, Steven, Sharon (Dey-Layne), and Sylvester.

She was the grandmother of Jamie, Janere, Samuel III, Brandon, Chrislyn, Alicia, Ashley, Donovan, Noah, and Matthew.

She was the great-grandmother of Theo, Shea, Mariana, Arie, Apollo, Shaqueel, Shonell, and Shamar.

Pauline was the sister of Myrtle, and the late Rudolph, Joseph (Buddy), Pamela (Mummy Pam), and Clemsford.

She was the aunt of Cecily, John, Laurel (Marilyn), Cecil, Faye, Cecily, Eudene, Mai, Andrew, Maxine (Cherry), Hector (Gregory), Shevin, Shevonne, Clemlynanne, Rudolph, and Richard.

She was a Founding Member of the Carmel Seventh Day Adventist Church in Georgetown, Guyana, in which, though separated by many miles, she maintained an active interest, and with whose original members she corresponded and communicated on an active basis.

She was born at Catherineville, East Coast of Demerara as far as the eldest sister in a family of 7 children – she had 3 older brothers, one of whom died young, 2 younger sisters, and 1 younger brother.

She matriculated at the Catherine Methodist School from which she graduated after passing the School Leaving Exam. She briefly attended Reverend Bob’s School at Mahaica but completed her education in Georgetown at the Sharples Girls High School, where she passed both the Junior Cambridge and the Senior Cambridge Exams.

After a brief, but serious, illness she returned to Mahaicony and was hired by the very same Reverend Bob to become a teacher at the Mahaicony Methodist School. This was the start of a lifelong career in teaching. After spending a short time at the Catherine Methodist School, she returned to the school at Mahaicony where she stayed until emigrating to England in 1964. It was during this 2nd stint at the Mahaicony Methodist School that she met Samuel Dey. Love blossomed resulting in the start of a marriage that lasted 60 years and produced 5 children.

She has 6 children, the youngest of whom, Syl, is Developmentally Disabled. She was able to guide the 6 children past all the natural and man-made hazards inherent& endemic in childhood in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, & 1980s. The 5 oldest children have all gone on to have families of their own, making her the proud grandparent of 10, and great grandparent of at least 5.

She was not idle whilst raising her family. She emigrated to England in 1964 and stayed 2 years before returning to the newly independent Guyana in 1966. There, she had 3 jobs: she worked full time as a teacher, she raised her family (which had grown to 4 children at that time, with 2 more coming in the next 2 years before she called it a day), and she attended Teacher’s Training College after work. This went on for several years, until she finished the training at the College.

In 1970, around the time Guyana became a Republic, she led the way in the decision of all the family members to be baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church-> when she said that she was going to it sealed the deal for everyone. It was out of this crusade that Carmel church was formed.

Although she was very busy, Pauline took on various responsibilities in the church. She was very supportive of her husband, who became an Elder in the newly formed church. She also served as Sabbath School teacher, Assistant Treasurer, and Vacation Bible School teacher. And she sewed school uniforms, church clothes, and Pathfinder uniforms on top of that for the children. She was also very active in organizing worship activities at home, including morning worship, daily Sabbath School lesson study, and memory verse memorization. She insisted that the older children become involved in Pathfinders. She even found the time to cook a VERY special lunch every Sabbath, which would be the highlight of the day after church.

She was an avid horticulturalist who spent many enjoyable hours puttering around in her flower garden among collection of crotons, hibiscuses, and whatever other colorful flower caught her fancy. She also tended a vegetable garden before it became fashionable, raising bananas, boras, boulangers, callaloo, guavas, okras, pomegranates, tomatoes, and watermelons in her backyard. And to top it off she taught herself the science of poultry farming.

So as the older 3 children sallied forth into the world, she was able to focus her attention on raising the three younger children. She was also able to continue her career as a teacher at the East La Penitence Government School, where she worked until she emigrated to the United States in 1980.

She lived briefly in Albany, New York before venturing west to California, where she made her permanent home.

She decided that she wanted a career in healthcare. So, after starting work as an Aide in a home for disabled children, she advanced educationally and professionally through positions as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), and Registered Nurse (RN). She was most proud that the ultimately returned to school to complete her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the University of Phoenix.

Pauline was a quiet person who could always be counted on for a pleasant word of encouragement. She was a generous person by nature, and her generosity knew no bounds. She, together with her husband, was sent funds to Guyana for multiple projects related to church and school. In particular, she sponsored scholarships for students in Guyana to pursue various

educational endeavors. She helped countless people in their pursuit of various academic goals. She was very proud of what she had done. Her message was clear: “Make sure you get your education. Nobody can ever take it away from you”.

She also had a special spiritual commitment. No matter how busy she was been through the years, she made it a point to stay involved with the church. She was a devoted member of the Campus Hill church for many years, faithfully attending services with her husband every sabbath until he became incapacitated. She continued to attend virtual services up to the time of her passing.

Following her retirement, she remained committed to an active social life. She maintained contact with many friends, with whom she had regular conversations on the phone. Her memory for these was phenomenal.

She also remained active mentally and physically. She completed the daily newspaper crossword and Sudoku puzzles. And she enjoyed watching Family Feud, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. She also made it a point to walk around the house several times each day.

As a result, she was sharp mentally. And she didn’t have any chronic or debilitating physical

conditions.

So, she has answered the last call, and is now happily and safely ensconced in the bosom of her Lord with the greeting “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

For “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Philippians 4:8.

And yes, “Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever” Psalm 136:1