Obituary for Pauline Valerie Thompson

Pauline Valerie Thompson, 79 passed away surrounded by her husband and daughter, on Tuesday, June 9th, at UnityPoint Taylor House (hospice facility), due to complications of Alzheimers.

Pauline was born November 3, 1940, to George Alfred and Daisy Esther Cartlidge in London, England.  Her father George died while fighting in World War II during her infancy.  After the loss of her husband, her mother Daisy remarried Edwin Wallace (Ted).  Ted raised her as his own daughter; they shared an incredible bond.  She had three siblings:  two brothers, George and Vic, and a sister, Sandy.

At the young age of 20, she and her best friend, Valerie Hamilton, were walking home from work and decided to move to the United States to be nannies.  On August 23, 1961, two 20 year-old women arrived in New York City, New York to start their adventure.  Quickly, they realized that New York was not where they wanted to end up.  So, after their year of nannying they moved to Los Angeles, California.  Times were tough.  After countless hours of job searching, they came up empty, finding themselves jobless and out of money.  She was a fighter and never gave up.  She soon found a job and made a life for herself.  In April 1971, while at a dance, she met Barry.  He quickly realized that he had met the woman he was to marry, and he proposed three weeks later.  In December 1971, they were married.  Their marriage gifted them with two children:  Kelly and Christopher.

She absolutely loved being a mother.  She was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home to raise her children.  Once they were teenagers and off doing their own things, she began working at Target to fill her time.  She was extremely social and made friends everywhere she went.  Her caring, selfless nature made everyone she met feel comfortable and accepted.  She loved music.  Walking into our house, you would always expect to hear music playing, hear her singing, and see her dancing around the house.  She loved to bake and cook.  Kelly and Chris were always excited to get off the bus after school, anticipating what sweet treats would be awaiting their arrival from school.  She loved the United States, but England was where she felt most at home.  We loved our visits to see her family.  Even thousands of miles away, she made it a priority that her children knew their relatives in England.  She made the trip as often as she could.  She was fortunate that, along with her daughter and granddaughters, she was able to make one last trip to England five years ago. Those memories will be forever cherished.

She was active in the Order of Eastern Star and was inducted as Worthy Matron for the 2005-2006 term.

For fun, she and Barry would often find themselves at one of the local casinos or meeting friends in Las Vegas.  She was always up for good fun, always with a bright smile on her face.  She loved to read.  She read until macular degeneration took her sight.  Then she would listen to books-on-tape.

Pauline is survived by her husband of 48 years, Barry Thompson, Daughter Kelly (James) Pearson of Cumming, Iowa, son Christopher (Yenny) Thompson of Jakarta, Indonesia, grandchildren Hadley, Finley and Fletcher.  Brother Vic of Rusden Northhamptonshire England, sister Sandy Wright of Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire England, mother-in-law Lila Thompson of Bloomington, MN, sister-in-law Sharon (Edward) Oldenborg of Blackduck, MN, sister-in-law Peggy Thompson of West Des Moines, IA, sister-in-law Patricia (Craig) Wodnick of Minneapolis, MN, sister-in-law Pamela Bartol of Burnsville, MN and multiple nieces, nephews and countless loving friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Daisy, George and Edwin; brother George Wallace, father-in-law Howard Thompson, brother-in-law Jon Wright, brother-in-law Robert Thompson and numerous dogs, cat, parakeets, guinea pigs, and a hamster who she adored.

Based on the restrictions due to the COVID-19, funeral services will be delayed.  An announcement will be made regarding a celebration of life service once restrictions have been relaxed.  Two separate celebration of life services will be held:  one in West Des Moines, Iowa, and the other in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Her final resting place will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either Trinity Center at Luther Park Nursing Home or UnityPoint Taylor House.