Pauline Bridges passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021 at the age of 102.
Pauline was born at home, the third child of nine, to John and Emily Krisko. As you can imagine, life in those days was very difficult for such a large family, and Pauline shared many stories about happy time’s together but sadder times as well. In her mid-teens, Pauline left the family home to work as a “hired girl” for different relatives and families. It was at one such place, near Grandview, that she met her husband to be, Archie Bridges. They were married on June 9, 1939 and spent 67 years together.
Pauline was an accomplished homemaker, gardener, and farm wife right from the beginning, always willing to pitch in where needed. She was very resourceful when money was scarce, by selling eggs and cream, and spoke of how she would keep the cream from spoiling by placing it in jars in the cold water down the well. Over the years Archie and Pauline continued to work the land, but moved off the farm into Russell to a much larger family home. Pauline took in boarders to fill the extra rooms, thus meeting and making lifelong friendships. Once in town, Pauline got involved in organizations such as the World Book of Canada, the United Church, her many bridge groups, and the Russell Leisure Centre where she was a key holder until the age of 100. But very dear to her heart was the Rebekah Lodge, of which she was a member for many years.
Pauline took immense pride in her home, her friends, her appearance, but mostly her family, who were most important in her life. Pauline is survived by her daughter Gail (Frank) Clement, her son Jim (Angie) Bridges, her grandchildren Brad (Grace) Clement, Kathy (Mike) Naherniak, Tess White, and Kyle (Karmen) Bridges, and by her many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Vicki and her brother Roy.
Pauline was predeceased by her husband Archie in 2006, and by her granddaughter Bev Miller in 2018.
On the eve of her 100th’ birthday we asked Pauline what her secret to a long life was, and she replied; work hard, take care of your body, and be happy.
Her life truly was a life well lived.