Pauline Margaret Lacey

Pauline Margaret Sheehan Lacey, 96, passed away Feb. 26, 2026. The family will greet friends 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Lankford Funeral Home.?Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 7, at St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand, beginning with a eulogy by the family at 10 a.m.
Pauline was born on Christmas Eve in 1929, a date she had very strong opinions about for most of her life. An Irish Catholic woman by way of Canada, Pauline was many things: a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, champion worrier, and a woman who never lacked an opinion - or the confidence to share it.
She was the middle child of Emmet and Pauline Sheehan, and for many years she made it very clear that sharing a birthday with Christmas was simply unacceptable. A well-intentioned "Happy Birthday" could derail an entire day. Eventually, the family wisely adopted "Happy Special Day," which kept everyone safe and smiling. After turning 90, she finally softened, allowing "Happy Birthday, Mom" to return - no injuries to body or spirit required.
Pauline married the love of her life, Edward Lacey, on Valentine's Day in 1953. With Ed just home from serving in Korea and Lent fast approaching, there was no time to waste. With help from Ed's mother, plans came together quickly, and the couple honeymooned in Chicago. Their marriage was filled with passion, laughter and devotion, and together they went on to raise nine children - a testament to both their love and Pauline's boundless energy.
A spirited redhead for most of her life, Pauline was instantly recognizable. After her 92nd birthday, she made the bold decision to stop cutting or coloring her hair, growing it longer than ever before. She loved it and thought it was beautiful. Not everyone agreed - but Pauline rarely let that stop her.
Pauline spent most of her life in Michigan, including many years in Flint. Their first child arrived in October 1954, and from that moment on, being "Mom" became her proudest role. She made life fun, exciting and never dull. Her sense of humor was legendary. If you complained of a stomachache, she might offer to "cut it out," a cure that somehow worked every time.
Pauline had a true gift for making food stretch. The extended family still marvels at how she could produce peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at lightning speed, laying them out like a card dealer, while they vanished just as quickly.
Though she often claimed she wasn't a great cook, every night meant a family dinner. She was always the last to sit down - and likely didn't enjoy a hot meal at home for about 16 years - but she never missed a beat. Fiercely loyal, endlessly devoted, and if worrying were an Olympic sport, Pauline would have taken gold.
As a grandmother, Pauline truly shined. Known to all as the world's best Grandma, she delighted in her 22 grandchildren and, later, 12 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
Her golf-cart adventures - where speed limits and safety regulations were more suggestions than law - were legendary, and laughter echoed across her property. She made it to countless milestones: sacraments, graduations, weddings and celebrations, always leaving memories and stories behind. Babies, especially, had a special place in her arms and heart.
Pauline was also a devoted wife to Ed, whom she adored. A successful businessman, Ed often credited Pauline as the secret to his success - after all, with nine children, failure simply wasn't an option. Pauline worked tirelessly behind the scenes, proudly referring to him as "Ed Lacey" to make sure everyone knew the name. Their love story lasted until 2021, when Ed passed away.
Even in her later years, Pauline's fiery spirit remained strong. Dementia may have complicated life, but it never fully dimmed her will. She continued to do things her way, right to the end - just as she always had.
She was preceded in death by a lot of people, including her husband Edward and son Thomas. She is survived by eight of her nine children: Mary-Jo Lacey, Pat (Tammy) Lacey, Mike Lacey, Teresa (Jerry) Givens, Libby (Mike) Boylan, Paula (John) Tabar, Matt (Katy) Lacey, Peggi (Michael) Kaley, and her beloved daughter-in-law, Nancy Lacey; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Margaret (John) Mahoney and Marie Knight.
Pauline Margaret Sheehan Lacey will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever deeply loved.