Pauline McGrath

Pauline’s family announces with sorrow that she passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Canterbury Gardens in her 87th year. Beloved wife of the late Samuel Bell (1977) and the late Harold McGrath (2015). Loving mother of Susan Pettersone (late Barry), Sharon Driscoll (Scott) and Jeffrey Bell (Patti). Proud grandmother of Michael Cavanagh (Kim), Megan Cavanagh (Mike Lowry), Dan Cavanagh (Erica), Samantha Driscoll-Way (Daniel), Hayley Driscoll (Holly Thomas) and Samuel Bell and great-grandmother of Aiden, Conor, Grace, Adeline, Jack, and Joseph. Pauline cherished Harold’s family and had a special relationship with his daughter Kimberley and Harold’s six grandchildren Bradley, Kyle, Ben, Reggie, Arlene and Frankie. Predeceased by her parents Clayton and Daisy Fitzgerald; and her brother Barry (late Jane). Lovingly remembered by her nephew Gordon Fitzgerald (Nadine Rochette) and his children Jeremy and Shane, and her niece Tammy Duport (Dion) and her daughter Raven. Dearly missed by many extended family, and friends.

Pauline was a proud descendant of the Peter Robinson settlers and grew up on a dairy farm on 12th Line Smith outside of Lakefield. She loved the outdoors so much that she lied about her age to become a counselor at Camp Kawartha on Clear Lake when she was only sixteen. At 5 foot 9 and ¾’s, she was the captain of her Lakefield High School basketball team and graduated from Peterborough Teachers College in 1957, In 1959, Pauline married the love of her life Sam Bell and moved to Bridgenorth. Pauline was a primary grade school teacher at King Edward P.S. in Peterborough until her first daughter Susan was born in 1960. She continued to substitute teach and assist at Bell’s Garage while they grew their family until the tragic death of Sam in 1977. Pauline, now widowed with 3 children, 16, 15 and 11, transitioned into the role of business owner as Co-Owner of Bell’s Garage until she sold her majority interest to her brother-in-law in the early eighties. Pauline found a second chance at love when she married Harold McGrath in 1982. Although their lives were busy with work and eight kids between them, they found time to travel and eventually became snowbirds at Ironwood Circle in Bradenton Florida where Pauline made many new friends and learned to golf. Golf and curling became favorite past-times and Pauline joined Tamarac Golf & Country Club in Ennismore and is a Past President of Peterborough Curling Club Ladies Section. Pauline held strong ties with both Mark Street United Church and Bridgenorth United Church where she spent many years as President of the Bridgenorth UCW. She volunteered for TeleCare Distress Centre of Peterborough and Selwyn Public Library in Ennismore. In her later years, Pauline became an avid bridge player and had a weekly game with several good friends and had just started a bridge group at Canterbury Gardens where she became a resident this past May.

But for Pauline, friends and family were the most important aspects of her life. Her favourite roles were mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she was one of the best. She was always supportive of her children’s life decisions even when career opportunities required moving to different cities, provinces or countries. Having the family together was a top priority and she rarely missed a holiday celebration or summer BBQ at her Ennismore house on Chemong Lake or Sharon’s cottage on Clear Lake. She was frequently hosting large family gatherings and would always welcome neighbours and family friends as extended family with one simple phrase - Just call me Pauline. She was a fantastic cook and always had home baked chocolate chip cookies in a tupperware container and each family visit started with a trip to the kitchen for a cookie appetizer. Her cookies were not always perfect, but they were made with love.

Pauline made friends wherever she went and she had a smile and a personality that would light up a room. She was incredibly kind, caring and inspirational to all that were fortunate enough to meet her.

A Celebration of Pauline’s Life will be held at Bridgenorth United Church, 832 Charles Street on Wednesday October 9, 2024. Visitation will be from 11 am to 12:30 pm, Service at 1 pm and Inurnment at BUC cemetery immediately following the service. Family will receive friends for a reception at the Bridgenorth Library next to the church.

In memory of Pauline, donations to Bridgenorth United Church or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by her family.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com