Pauline Waggoner

Pauline Ann (Polly) Waggoner 1928-2012 Pauline Ann (Polly) Waggoner, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, died January 26, 2012 in Tualatin, Oregon while visiting family for the holidays. A viewing will be held Friday, February 10, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:00 am, at University Christian Church. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery. Polly was born on October 16, 1928 to Carl and Lucile Vocu, and lived in Boise most of her life. She met her dearest love, Earl, at Boise High School. After graduating in 1946, she attended the former Boise Junior College. On September 21, 1947, she married J. Earl Waggoner. In early years, she worked for the Retail Credit Union Company in Boise and then in San Francisco while Earl attended mortuary college. They returned to Boise after Earl graduated in 1952. Polly became Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel's office manager and bookkeeper in 1967. This led to service on the Idaho State Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Advisory Board for many years. She worked alongside Earl at the chapel until her retirement in 1990. Polly and Earl were baptized together in 1956 at the former Boise First Christian Church, now University Christian Church. They remained active members and attended the Come Double Class until their deaths, Earl preceding Polly on August 14, 2006. Polly and Earl had three children. During their childhood years, Polly volunteered at church, her children's school and in the community. She was past president of the Franklin Elementary School PTA and Boise Jaycettes. She worked with Cub and Boy Scouts while Earl was pack leader, and was a church youth department sponsor and chaperone for choir trips. Over the years she also served as a Deaconess, Church Clerk, Membership Department Chair and more recently, part of the Welcome Committee. One of Polly's joys in life was her Birthday Club, which started in 1961 with ten friends. This monthly lunch-time gathering has shared their birthdays ever since, a tribute to the value of lasting relationships. She simply wouldn't miss it. Polly and Earl loved to travel, especially road trips. They regularly traveled to California and Oregon to see relatives, creating years of great family memories. Polly's first international adventure took place with a trip to China, a country she had always wanted to visit, while her daughter was teaching English at a university in Shanghai. Her last trip was a cruise to the Mexican Riviera to celebrate her 80th birthday. After Polly and Earl were retired, a new phase of travel occurred. They bought a fifth wheel RV and off they went. Over several years of three-month-long treks, they visited every state in the continental US as well as several provinces in Canada, documented well in Polly's extensive photo albums. During the winter Polly and Earl relocated to a sunny and warm RV park in Cathedral City, California. In addition, they enjoyed their involvement in the Sun Valley Swing 'n Jazz Jamboree for over 10 years. Besides traveling, Polly was a voracious reader and sports fan. She regularly volunteered for the Ada County Elections Office. Polly is survived by her children: son, Dr. David Carl Waggoner, wife, Lorette, Eugene, Oregon, and granddaughter, Bethany Waggoner, Portland, Oregon; son, Scott Earl Waggoner, wife, Brenda, and grandchildren, Meredith and Perry, Portland, Oregon; and daughter, Beth Ann Beldman, husband, Jan-Willem, and grandson, Jonathan, West Linn, Oregon. Polly is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ruth Waggoner, Kirkland, Washington and Norma Waggoner, Victorville, California, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Polly's death closes a chapter on an amazing life that touched many lives along the way. She was a lady in the truest sense: gracious, gentle and patient. As a friend, she offered commitment and caring to virtually all of those she encountered. Her children are eager to sing her praises and can't imagine a better mother - and her grandchildren join in the song. It is as a wife, however, that Polly shone brightest and in that light we can all learn from her example. Through the storms of life, trials and triumphs, Polly and Earl's love remained strong and true. They were married for 59 years. We would all do well to see such great value and commitment in our relationships. Thanks, Polly—mother, grandmother, and friend—for showing us it is possible. We love you and miss you. Donations may be made in memory of Polly Waggoner to University Christian Church, 1801 W. University Drive, Boise, Idaho, 83706.