Marguerite Lilian Pauls

September 20, 1924 – November 6, 2021

Molly Pauls (née Jenne) passed away peacefully in Vancouver in her 98th year. Molly was born and raised in Jersey, one of the picturesque Channel Islands, U.K., a place she always held dear. During World War II, along with other islanders, she and her family endured the hardship of almost five years of German occupation. She recalled the arrival of the Swedish supply ship the Vega late in 1944, bringing life-saving Red Cross supplies—including parcels from Canada.

After the war, Molly trained in pharmacy dispensing in London. She boldly immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1953 to work at Montreal General Hospital. It was there she met her future husband of 63 years, Henry Pauls, a young doctor from B.C. Molly and Henry married in 1958 in New York City, where Henry was completing a surgical residency. Chilliwack, B.C., became their permanent home. Molly’s early married life was busy, devoted to raising three daughters.

Starting in 1968, Molly and Henry were pioneers in adventure travel. They cruised aboard the MS Lindblad Explorer to remote destinations including the Galápagos Islands, the Seychelles and Antarctica. Molly was an excellent photographer, and many entertaining slide shows ensued. In 1970, they spent a memorable month in Afghanistan. A planned extended return in 1979 was cut short by the country’s occupation by Russia, but their adventures continued in the region.

For more than 40 years, Molly and Henry made their home in the rural area of Ryder Lake. Molly was active in the community; she participated in neighbourhood teas and welcomed visitors during the Ryder Lake Ramble. Many people experienced her warm hospitality, culinary prowess and sunny disposition. An avid reader, she cherished her book club friends. She also enjoyed gardening, drying and arranging flowers, playing the piano and winning at Scrabble. Art was her passion from a young age, and her watercolour paintings manifest her deep appreciation for the natural world.

Molly was an open-hearted and generous person with a beautiful smile, and despite living with dementia made friends till the end. Her family thanks the staff at Crofton Manor for their attentive and professional care.

Molly was predeceased by her sister, Dulcie May (Bubbles) Payn. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Henry; daughters and their spouses Naomi and Mark, Camilla and Mike, and Roberta and Jim; grandchildren Marcus and Anna, plus friends and extended family near and far. The family will hold a celebration of her life at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com

She Is Gone by David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone.

Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back.

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her.

Or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday.

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone.

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Pauls family.