Pauline "Cutie" Lincoln

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Pauline “Cutie” Lincoln, who left us peacefully at the age of 85, in Homestead, Florida. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, on January 25, 1940 to the late Doris and Joseph Lincoln, Pauline “Cutie” Lincoln was the tenth of eleven children.

Pauline attended St. Anne’s School and Alvernia High School. After graduating from Alvernia High School, she attended Fitz Henley’s Business School and graduated in 1958.

Upon graduating from Fitz Henley’s Business School, she joined the Civil Service and was assigned to the Ministry of Health as a Steno Typist. Her last assignment with the Jamaican Civil Service was Secretary to the Principal Assistant Secretary.

Pauline migrated to the United States in 1964 to join her older sister, Mavis Hines, in Brooklyn, New York. She became a Steno Typist with the Malawi Mission to the United Nations from 1965 to 1967, after which she accepted a position as Secretary to the President of Weber & Heilbroner Retailers. Later, she assumed a position with Citibank, NA in New York as secretary to the Department Head in the Government Banking Department. She left New York and relocated to Miami in 1985; her last assignment with Citibank was Administrative Assistant to the General Counsel in 1989.

Combining her business acumen and love of cooking, Pauline went into the restaurant business in 1988 and opened Tropical Delite, in Cutler Ridge, FL. “The Restaurant” became a pillar in the South-Dade West Indian Community as it was a place where patrons young and old communed with one another - especially on Friday and Saturday nights - and many members of Pauline’s family could be found in the kitchen or behind the counter. In early summer 1992, Tropical Delite relocated to an expanded space in Naranja, FL. Sadly, it was destroyed soon thereafter by Hurricane Andrew. While the restaurant was never re-opened, Pauline remained in contact with many of her customers, some of whom became her closest friends and confidants through the final days of her life.

Pauline joined Florida International University as a Program Assistant in the Office of Pre-College Programs in November 1994 and remained in that position until her retirement in December 2001. She always mentioned that of all her jobs, this was the most rewarding to her as she had helped so many African-American students achieve their goals. She was loved dearly by all the students and parents.

Pauline was married to Earl Sherwood on November 3, 1975 and has one daughter, Suyen Lincoln-Sherwood. In 2016, Pauline became a grandmother, and her grandson, Frankie, was the absolute joy she waited her entire life for. Their bond will never be broken. Her spirit and legacy will undoubtedly live on through him.

She is survived by and leaves to mourn her daughter Suyen and grandson Franklin (Frankie); her sisters Herma (Bibi) Sherwood, Norma (Blossom) Smith, Cecille (Cherry) Williams; her brother Joseph (Junior) Lincoln; as well as dozens of well-loved nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Pauline was a devout, hardworking, loving, caring, and generous person whose passions included cooking, baking, decorating, and growing orchids.

She will be deeply missed by her loved ones and all who had the privilege of knowing her, as she brought joy to countless lives.