Pauline Coleman

A Life Well Lived

March 1, 1942-January 23, 2021

On March 1, 1942, the world was introduced to the “Original Fashionista,” Pauline Johnson. By all accounts, Pauline was a clever and high-spirited child. As Rose Johnson’s middle child, Pauline earned her spot in the family. She was fiercely protective of her family and friends. No one touched the Johnson sisters without facing Pauline first. At the same time, Pauline was known for her incredible kindness and infinite generosity.

God blessed Pauline with numerous talents. He gave her the gift to sing. She served on the church youth choir and the school chorus. She even sang live on Sundays at the local radio station. God also gave her the gift of compassion. Pauline was God’s child: she loved everyone and treated everyone with respect. To her, everyone was a “Boobie.” This was the affectionate name Pauline assigned friends and family. It was her way of saying, “I Love you!” However, it was the gift of creativity that was Pauline’s greatest passion, which she first exhibited while dressing up her dolls with her sisters, Marthareen (Margie) and Elaine (Cookie). She even learned to sew at an early age, which allowed her to create her own designs. Pauline was known to be a fashion trendsetter wherever she had a presence, including her school and the workplace.

To further develop the gift that God had given her, Pauline applied to and was accepted at the prestigious High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan where she graduated in 1959. Pauline eventually used her sewing experience to land her a job at Brooklyn State Hospital (now Kingsboro Psychiatric Center) where she started as a seamstress team leader in the sewing room. But, God had something greater for Pauline. She eventually started a career as a recreational therapist where she helped psychiatric patients learn how to interact with others in a healthy way.

It’s here where she would meet the love her life, William Coleman, in 1966. When Pauline and William united, Pauline not only gained a kind, generous, and loving husband, she also adopted in love William’s three beautiful daughters, Vivian, Maybell, and Janel. William and Pauline’s journey together would come to a close on August 18, 1992 when God brought him home.

Always the survivor, Pauline trudged through the next phase of her life. After retiring in 1997, she connected with an old friend, Maurice (Moe) Fitzgerald, who would become her partner and caregiver for the rest of her life. On Saturday, January 23rd, ironically just one day after her mother’s birthday, God brought Pauline back home to reunite her with William (d. 1992), Rose (d. 2007), Marthareen (d. 2017), and Elaine (d. 2019).

Left to celebrate her legacy are her companion Moe, three daughters in love, Vivian (Vernon) Rector, Maybell Coleman, and Janel Coleman; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, two nieces, Lisa (John) Reeves and Ericka (Frank) Fournier; a grandnephew Elijah (Barbara) Burroughs, a great-grandnephew, a goddaughter, and a host of dear friends.

Pauline left her mark on this world and because of it we are all the better. Now, we rejoice with the angels that she has taken her place in the presence of the Lord.

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