Pauline Gouger

Pauline R. Gouger

1924 - 2013 VERNON Pauline R. Gouger, 88, a native of Brattleboro and former resident of Hartford, Conn., died Friday evening, April 5, 2013, at Vernon Hall where she had been a resident since November 2006.

Ms. Gouger was born in Brattleboro on Aug. 17, 1924, the daughter of Alphonse and Eva (LaForest) Gouger. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending St Michael Parochial School. She graduated from St. Michael High School, Class of 1942.

Prior to moving to Hartford in 1948, Ms. Gouger worked in Washington, D.C., during World War II, from 1942 to August 1946 in the Government wartime agencies. She worked at the former Cummer Company in Brattleboro from September 1946 to September 1948.

A resident of Hartford for 58 years, following several years in private employment in Hartford, she entered service with the State of Connecticut in April 1954 as secretary in the office of Auditors of Public Accountants. In 1961, she was named Executive Assistant to the Finance Commissioner George J. Conkling in the administration of Governor John Dempsey. In October 1969, she transferred to the newly created Department of Transportation, again as Executive Assistant to Commissioner Conkling, until a change in administration in 1971.

Ms. Gouger worked briefly as Personal Secretary to Governor Ella T. Grasso in 1975 and subsequently returned to the office of Finance and Control. In 1978, she accepted part-time employment as secretary and coordinator to the Senior Appointments and Promotions Committee, School of Medicine at UConn Health Care Center in Farmington, CT. She served in full and part-time positions from 1954-1996.

Ms. Gouger was a communicant of Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford for over 50 years. She happily served two terms on the Parish Council, six years as a parish trustee and 18 years as a lector. She was a member of the Social Action Committee, involved early on in the soup kitchen ministry, a member of the Committee to Plan the 25Th Anniversary of the New Cathedral of Saint Joseph and chairman of the Cathedral Renew Program.

She was a member and Treasurer of the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, a past member of the officer of Serra International and a friend to the Guild of St. Agnes and the Saint Francis Women's Auxiliary.

Ms. Gouger was also a communicant of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro.

Of her leisure time activities she loved to read, do crossword puzzles and travel. Some of her favorite destinations were Russia, China, South Africa and the Holy Land. She traveled to over 20 different countries as well as throughout the United States. Ms. Gouger loved to learn about different cultures as well as what they may have had in common.

Ms. Gouger leaves behind one brother, Charles P. Gouger of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Godchildren, Henry "Jackie" Gouger and wife, Kathleen, of Enfield, N.H., Jeffrey Herrick and wife, Joanne, of Malvern, Pa., Carol Brown and husband, Lee, of Leesburg, Fla., Joyce Gouger of Harrisburg, Pa., Renee Orison and husband, Walter Lee, of Crocker, Mont., and Melanie Jenkins of Bellows Falls. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Henry Gouger, and sister-in-law, Marie Gouger; by sisters, Jeannette, Ann Margaret, Irene Jarvis, Veronica Herrick, Mary Louise Gembarowsk; by brother-in-law Miroslaw Gembarowsk; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Gouger; by nephews, Andy Blake, Johnny Blake, James Herrick, Paul Gembarowski, Michael Gembarowski and James Gembarowski, and by a niece, Mary Lou Jarvis Potvin.

FUNERAL NOTICE: The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Richard O'Donnell, V.F. pastor, as celebrant. Friends are invited to call at the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Following cremation, her ashes will be buried with her parents in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105, or to St. Michael Catholic School, 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301, or a charity of ones choice.

To sign an online register book or send messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.