Pauline Cynthia Person

Pauline Person Obituary

Pauline Cynthia Person
December 7, 1932 - December 14, 2020
San Diego
Pauline Cynthia Person, daughter of Francis and George Hatton, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 14, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and came to California after marrying Per Harold Person, her husband of 54 years. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother Jim Hatton and her sister Dee Payne.For better or worse, they had six children who all grew into adulthood admiring and loving their Mother for her casual elegance, humor, independent mind and respect for others. Pauline had an easygoing manner and charm that enabled her to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She was a talented watercolor artist, involved with the painting community in San Diego for decades. She loved plein-air painting, especially on the bluffs of the Southland beaches, as well as figure drawing classes where she connected with other artists young and old.She was a compassionate and nurturing caretaker for her husband, her mother and father and her sister at the end of their lives. Pauline is survived by her grown children, Steve Person, Diane LaRue, Karen Apostolina, Ken Person, Eric Person and Karl Person; grandchildren: Shelby, Conner, Cole, Nicholas and Isaac, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, Inc.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Pauline Person

15 Entries

Coko Brown

January 25, 2021

Pauline is an inspiration. Her beauty, talent, kindness and support will live on in my heart forever. My love you all of you!

Steve Apostolina

January 25, 2021

Pauline was such a delight to be around. Everyone and anyone who met her became enthralled with her "casual elegance," her honest and illuminating thoughts on life and her overall goodness. And speaking of "goodness," here's a memory: Karen was dancing in a modern dance piece after we were married and Pauline came up to see it. So Pauline and I went to see the show and the piece that Karen was in was very dramatic - I think it represented someone having a heart attack, very dramatic and well done. At the end of the piece the stage went dark and the audience was hushed into a momentary silence and out of this we heard Pauline exclaim "Goodness!" She was very taken with it. Two other quick memories: we were in her kitchen and Karen was marveling at the portable kitchen timer and said "I really like this, I wish I had one," to which Pauline replied simply - "Well, I should think you could." We laugh about that to this day - whenever one of us says something along the lines of I wish I had one the other chimes in - I should think you could. That was Pauline. She did so much in her life and made it all seem effortless - whether it was caring for her loved ones at the end of their lives, or painting beautiful pieces of art, or throwing Christmas Eve parties for the formidable Person clan, she was unflappable - and beautiful inside and out. Last memory - Pauline was not one to drown themselves in nostalgia nor was she one who was prone to tears (at least in my experience and what Karen told me). One time, our son Nick was performing in a play at a high school festival and Pauline was able to attend. The play was a tearjerker (especially for Nick's character) and at the conclusion Pauline was crying. Karen told me that was the only time she ever saw her mother cry. I could go on on on (and I have, sorry) because I loved Pauline dearly. I loved her visits to us and down to her and I loved talking to her on the phone - a few times I would call her and she would be surprised at first and then talk for an hour, I loved the example she set for all around her and it worked for some - because sometimes I will think: WWPD - What would Pauline do? This inspiring person was one of a kind and I miss her dearly.

Jackie Jones

January 24, 2021

Casual Elegance is perfect. Pauline was a wonderful artist and lovely lady. I am best pals with her daughter and met Pauline in 1964. I will always remember he COOL elegance and the stack of library books she always had on the coffee table. She was a wonderful person and we miss her.