Pauline Serlin

QUEENSBURY Pauline Serlin, 92, of Queensbury, died at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, July 21, 2008. Born on Sept. 14, 1915, in New York City, she was the daughter of Sam and Tibel Langbert. Much of her childhood was spent in Akron, Ohio, before her family returned to New York during the Great Depression. There she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. After a courtship in which her beau rode down Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn on horseback, she married Howard H. Serlin on Dec. 5, 1937. After 70 years of marriage, when asked about the longevity of their relationship Pauline would quip, "We weren't wedded, we were welded." Pauline, described by those who knew her as a gracious lady of wit and charm, was also very generous of spirit in her caring about people and their lives. She was bright and a very good listener. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who centered her life on her family. Her creativity in her home and with her hands in sewing, beading, needlepoint, knitting, and crocheting were much admired. Her intrepid attempts to repair and create led her children when small to declare, "My mother can fix anything!" Pauline was also an avid reader and continued her love of books by listening on tape when she no longer had her vision. After her children left for college she returned to work outside the home as a medical secretary for 15 years. In 1979, she and her husband retired to Florida where they led a life richly filled with friends, family, cultural activities and sunshine for the next 25 years. In 2003, they returned to New York to live nearer to their children. Besides her parents, Pauline was predeceased by her brothers, Lewis Langbert and Jack Langbert, and a son-in-law, Dr. Stephen H. Tucker. She is survived by her beloved husband, Howard H. Serlin of Queensbury; her children, Dr. Stephen Serlin and his wife, Kate, of Lake George; Dr. Cheryl Tucker and her husband, Eric Krantz, of Lake George; her grandchildren: Beth Serlin and Craig Tanimoto; Todd Serlin and Mark Bauer; Jordan Serlin; Lacey Tucker; and Zachary Serlin. She is also survived by her dear sister, Sara Bender; her sister-in-law, Renee Serlin; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was much loved by all these people for her many very wonderful qualities. Friends and relatives may gather at the Regan and Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury, N.Y. 12804 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. A graveside funeral service conducted by Rabbi Richard Sobel will follow at 2 p.m. at Pineview Cemetery in Queensbury, N.Y. A memorial service will be held at the Glen at Hiland Meadows on July 29, 2008, at 2 p.m.. A period of Shiva when relatives and friends may call will be observed by the family on the days after the funeral on Thursday, Friday until sunset and Sunday at the home of Howard Serlin. Donations in memory of Pauline Serlin may be made to the Glens Falls Association for the Blind, 144 Ridge St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or to High Peaks Hospice, 667 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.