October 8, 1927 - December 28, 2021
In Loving Memory ~
The Drama Queen has made her final curtain call. Pauline Curry (Black) grew up in the small town of Stonewall, Manitoba, the 5th of 7 children. From a young age she was active, self assured and a little spitfire.
She would dash home from school, drop her bags and hit the skating rink right behind her house. She had a vivid imagination from an early age, for example when her brother Jack was born, she snuck upstairs to catch a peak then announced they had a new puppy.
During her young years as a speed skater, she not only beat the older girls, but won many awards including a brand new pair of skates - quite a win when money for new skates was scarce.
After high school, Pauline drove to Vancouver with her older sister to work. After returning to Manitoba, she met the love of her life, William Craig Curry. She thought he walked on water. They married, moved to Victoria and had six children.
Their life together lead them all over the world with Bill's career in the navy, moving from Victoria to Winnipeg, back to Victoria, to Plymouth, England (with 6 children, all under 10, including a new-born), back to Victoria, to Ottawa and finally Washington, DC. After getting all six children through swimming lessons, Pauline finally learned to swim in her 40s. She didn't just learn, she went on to teach swimming in Ottawa and with the Arthritis Society in Smithers.
When Bill retired in 1980, they planned to move to Victoria, but on the arrival of their first grandchild they made the journey to Smithers. Not only did they fall in love with their new granddaughter, Jamie, but they fell in love with the town.
They bought a home in Telkwa, then later moved to Seymour Lake and never left. Pauline became involved in the community, volunteering at Bulkley Lodge and the Arthritis Society and kept active by curling, skiing, hiking, singing, and swimming. She was on the pool Board that built the BV Pool, and up until the last few years, participated in Aquasize classes 5 days a week. She made new and exciting friendships and made this community her own.
Retirement allowed her to travel the world with Bill over numerous years.
Pauline was not only a lovely person, but she had a way with her genuine honesty and non-filtered communication. She loved meeting people and hearing their stories. If they didn't tell her, she would create her own version.
Again, a vivid imagination. She was not shy to tell young fellas at the pool how handsome they were while sitting in the hot tub after her Aquasize class. She believed in staying active and getting involved in the community. A "use it or lose it" philosophy. She loved spending time in her garden and watching the birds and wildlife. She was a perfect host to many, many visitors.
In her later years, after losing Bill, she loved watching the neighbours, reading books and writing beautiful poems. She always had a good joke to tell, some a little dirty.
She leaves behind her children Barbara, Susan, Craig, Drew, Mark and Jan, as well as grandchildren Jamie, Shauna, Gabriel and Evan, and her youngest sister, Geraldine.
Pauline had a wonderful life with zero regrets. Her 85th birthday was her celebration of life where she enjoyed many of her friends and family. She recently wrote a poem to describe her thoughts:
"So welcome to a peaceful sleep
With very fond thoughts and memories to keep
Of a wonderful life for us to review
Where all of our dreams have all come true."
She has left many warm memories for her friends and family. Her beautiful smile and laugh will be greatly missed. She always said her life reflected a quote from Maya Angelou:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Pauline, Mum, Gram - you made us feel amazing and so loved. We love you and miss you dearly.