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Mississippi State University

Pauline Joe Obituary

Pauline JOE Age 58, passed away peacefully in her Renton home on September 13, 2009. Pauline is survived by her husband of 35 years, George Williams; her mother Sue Kiu Wong Joe; brothers, Dr. Harry Joe and Dr. Jeffrey Joe; sisters, Anna Joe and Susan Joe; children, Lori Williams (spouse Stephen Jacob), Katherine Williams (spouse David DeTerra), and Christopher Williams; grandchildren, Vera Jacob and Evan DeTerra; 1 nephew and 4 nieces. She was preceded in rest by her father, Yick Wah Joe. "PJ" as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Shelby, MS on May 29, 1951. She attended Clarksdale High School, graduating as the class valedictorian. She then attended Mississippi State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. During this time, PJ met her husband, George, in the Famous Maroon Marching Band in which she played alto saxophone. She moved to Washington in 1972 and worked as a Boeing Software Engineer for 34 years. PJ loved music, playing the piano, spending time with her family, amusing herself with her computers, and admiring beautiful flowers. She was greatly loved by everyone she knew. She was kind, giving, intelligent, patient, and full of laughter and joy. PJ will be very much missed by all those whose lives she touched. Visitation will be held Sept 23rd, 12-7pm. Funeral services will take place Friday, September 25 at 2pm. Both will be held at Greenwood Funeral Home in Renton. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home at 350 Monroe Ave NE Renton, WA 98056. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Sep. 20 to Sep. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Pauline Joe

18 Entries

Don Bailey

September 14, 2024

Thank you for these periodic email reminders of our great friend. It's nice to reread the previous posts and remember the days of our youth. My memories of our experiences together are as vivid today as in 1968.

Don Bailey

September 14, 2021

I was the first to comment here 12 years ago; I'll be the first to re-comment per this email reminder today.

I so enjoyed reading PJ's obituary again today. Who wrote that?! It is excellent and brought Pauline front and center in my memories.

As I age, I realize that connections from hometown days matter a lot - those were our formative years. My memories of Pauline (I never called her PJ for some reason...) are as clear today as they were at the time. We spent SO much time together - in band and in our homes.

Thank you for this trip down memory lane. I would very much enjoy having Pauline over for a final visit; we would have so much to say, and of course there would be laughter, puns, even shoulder punches. Pauline loved shoulder punches. (I know you heard that, PJ.....)

Joann Hays (Joe)

October 13, 2009

My deepest sympathies to the Willimas/Joe families. I am very saddened to hear about Pauline's passing. She was best friends with my sister Helen in high school and college. I have very fond memories of the two of them and feel that I've now lost a link to my past childhood. I have no doubt that they are together again, making great music together.

Polly (Stanton) Patrick

October 13, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to Pauline's family. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of her passing. I had known Pauline since kindergarten. We graduated together and we were in the band together throughout our school years. I can remember as a child going to her parents' store. She was always a very sweet and caring person. She will be greatly missed.

Mickey Mitchell

September 25, 2009

Why is it that those whom we remember so fondly are absent from your life until you read the obituary? Not fair. Rest in peace Pauline.

Mickey Mitchell
CHS 1969

September 24, 2009

Our deepest sympathy to your family. We remember the bubbly personality Pauline was. She was a great friend to my deceased cousin, Helen. May she rest in peace. Raymond Joe for the Joe Family formerly of Marks.

Sally Lee

September 24, 2009

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Even though I have not seen Pauline in 40 years, I would sometimes think of her and our times in Clarksdale, MS. She was always generous with her time and she would always invite people over to her house. I remember being in the car with her one day and she pulled up to a gas station and put in $1.00 worth of gas. I had never known anyone to put in $1.00 gas. But Pauline did, with no shame whatsoever. That was what was unique about her. I will always remember her with much fondness

Andrea DeTerra

September 23, 2009

George, Katie, Lori, Chris, David, Steven and family,

We were so sad to hear about PJ, and we have all been thinking about you so much during the last week. We send you our love and thoughts during this difficult time.

Andrea DeTerra & Stephen, Carmen, Kyle, Suzanne, Greg and Doug

Bob Ngao

September 23, 2009

With a 13 year age difference between myself and PJ, the earliest memories I have of her are from the photos that hung on Uncle Yick and Aunt Sue’s living room wall. I didn’t realize it until just a few years ago when my dad conveyed the story to me, but a debt gratitude is owed to PJ for something she did some forty years ago. When I was about 4, the dentist in Clarksdale determined that I had an extra front tooth coming out with my other two front teeth. To fix it, I needed to go see an oral surgeon in Memphis, TN. It was PJ who drove my mom and me to have this taken care of. While I still have a somewhat “goofy smile” (atleast I think so), it’s somewhat normal thanks in part to PJ willingness to spend a good portion of her day playing chauffeur and translating Cantonese & English info between my mom and the oral surgeon. George, Lori/Steven, Katie/David & Chris, I will miss PJ. I am very grateful that I had an opportunity to know her.

Jasminder Singh

September 23, 2009

Lori, please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of my family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Lilly Joe Ross

September 23, 2009

Dear George, Lori, Katie, and Chris,

I've known her longer than you have. I was almost born with her. Even being a distant cousin, I was most certainly reared with her. I went to her birthday parties. Her family gave me my first Chihuahua puppy from Cookie who, in turned, gave me my first dog bite.

We taught each other how to dance---the twist, the locomotion, the freddie.
She taught me algebra I and II, trigonometry, snd you might as well throw in chemistry too. As teens, we gossiped every night on the phone---about what? I don't remember. We tooled around in her pale blue VW rabbit. That car was my only mode of transportation outside my father's car. She and her BaBa took me on my first trip to Memphis.

Did you know she was a class officer? Vice-President, I think in the earlier high school grades. She won it fair and square from the most popular girl in that class. Pretty good for somebody from band. Really great for somebody like her for those times. She made us proud.

We graduated together in 1969. She went to Mississippi State and I went to the rival Ole Miss. Even though we we went our separate ways, we always had that invisible connection. We always knew of the important things in each other's lives---all the way to your newest grandbaby boy.

Now I am lost. My heart is broken now that our Pauline is gone. I want you to know that she made a difference in my life and I will always remember her.

George, Lori, Katie, Chris, GuinSim, AnnaMay, Harry, Susan, and Jeffrey:
Please know that you are in Lloyd and my prayers and I am certain that your beloved BaBa met her in Heaven.

May God bless you all,

Lilly Joe Ross
Tomball, Texas

Kenny Wing

September 22, 2009

George, I was shocked and so saddened to hear of Pauline's passing. Although it's been forty years since we all were part of The Famous Maroon Band, I still have memories of you and Pauline, as if it was yesterday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your children, and Pauline's family as you cope with your tremendous loss.

Michael Gysbers

September 22, 2009

My fondest memories while working at Boeing was when I worked on a project with PJ. She was an unbelievable human being and will absolutely be missed.

With Sympathy.

Kim Wong

September 22, 2009

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Nancy Showalter

September 22, 2009

I had the pleasure and honor of working with PJ on several occassions, and she was always very friendly and incredibly smart. She made work seem more like fun. I enjoyed our time together and I know she will be greatly missed.

Sandi Viscusi & Family

September 21, 2009

I suspect so many of us are at a loss for words. The shock is much too painful. I can not yet believe that I will never be able to see my longtime dear friend and coworker again. Please tell me this is just a nightmare and wake me. My heart is heavy.

To George, Lori, Katie, and Christopher, and family -- Be not alone in your grief. PJ was loved by so many and we all join you in tears. This just sucks.

Sandra DeTerra

September 20, 2009

This write-up let me know so much about PJ that I never knew. She had so many interests other than just her computer work. I did not know that she graduated from Miss. State University in math, and that George and she were in the Maroon Band when they met.

PJ and her family always welcomed us in-laws of her daughter Katie so warmly, that we felt as if we were family the first time we met. I'll never forget how much fun Ray and I had helping PJ interview her father on video about his military service during WWII. I also loved all the little wild kittens that she kept and fed in her backyard. She was always so loving to her children and her two grandchildren that were born within the last year.

My son David, Katie's husband, loves his wife's family and always had so much fun talking "computer" with PJ, since they both enjoyed working with software.

I am so saddened that PJ has passed away. All my friends and relatives have prayed for her and her family this past week. We all have truly lost a wonderful person. Pauline will be missed so much.

With sympathy and love,
Sandra DeTerra,originally from Miss.

Don Bailey

September 20, 2009

This wonderful photo of Pauline brings back so many memories. Pauline and her entire family were my best friends during our Clarksdale, MS school days, even though we attended different high schools.

I was always in their home, playing for hours on their piano, or performing our band solos for each other prior to the various competitions. PJ was a great saxophone player and was full of humor and good fun - and practical jokes! I did not know she was valedictorian, though I am not at all surprised.

Pauline and I lost touch over the years, yet I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Her vivacious, loving spirit will be missed.

My best regards to her family.

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