Pauline May Grice, 78, of Batavia died Saturday, Nov. 7 at her home. A native of Nottingham, England, Pauline was born on May 16, 1937 to the late Joseph and Frances Stevenson.
She was named one of London's top beauties and worked for an electric company when she met her husband, the late David Grice, while he was in England serving in the Air Force. After they married she moved to the United States and they settled in Batavia, where they had a family business and raised two children. She changed her immigrant status by proudly becoming an American citizen.
Pauline loved to sing, laugh and tend to her garden. She was a proud grandma who enjoyed watching her granddaughters participate in sports, dance and gymnastics events. She also enjoyed musicals, country line dancing and doing ceramics. She was a faithful member of St. James Episcopal Church and, after the family business closed, she was "the health and beauty lady" at Wal-mart before it became a Super Center.
She enjoyed her job and helping people, which was recognized with Employee of the Month distinctions. She had a good sense of humor and was always an English lady. A survivor of breast cancer she more recently battled Alzheimer's disease. She remained at home and her family is ever grateful for the care she received from several home health care aides over the years. She is, at last, at peace and hopefully enjoying a nice cup of tea.
Pauline was predeceased by her husband, her mother and father, her beloved granddogs Corky and Scooter, sisters-in-law Ruth Wagner and Terry Grice and brothers-in-law Squire Wagner, Harold Tootell and Harold "Buddy" Grice.
She will be missed by her children, Stephen (Brenda) Grice and Joanne Beck, both of Batavia; grandchildren Stephanie Grice and Michelle (James) Bagg, both of Virginia; her sisters Yvonne (Thomas) Swyers of Castile and Doreen (Robert) Hedley of Australia; sisters-in-law Doris Tootell of Batavia and Audrey Aradine of Brockport; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 East Main St., Batavia. Friends and family are invited to attend and stay for a light lunch afterward.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 405 East Main St., Batavia, NY, 14020 or to Alzheimer's Association of Western New York.