Pauline M. Waldeck

Warren - Pauline M. Waldeck, 96, died April 28, 2025 at her home.  Known most of her life as Polly, she was born August 5, 1928 in Warren, the only child of Paul E. and Cecelia L. McGowan.  She graduated from Warren G. Harding in 1946 and attended Ohio University where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. 

On September 9, 1950, Pauline married Henry John Waldeck Jr. at St. Mary’s Church in Warren. She dedicated the rest of her life to her family and community.  She enjoyed reading, bridge, theatre, and the arts.  She had a special love for flowers and gardening. 

In the 1950s, she was a founding member of Trowel and Hoe Garden Club, served as President, and belonged until the organization disbanded just a few years ago.  She loved the game of golf and played in the Ladies Golf Association of Trumbull Country Club for several decades, serving as President in the 1990s.  She and Henry enjoyed traveling with friends for the annual “golf weekend” for many years. She volunteered with the Elizabeth Arden American Cancer Society Golf Tournament and Western Reserve Boy Scout Golf Pro-Am in the 1980s and 90s.  Polly served as President of St. Joseph Riverside Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, and Chair of Trumbull New Theater's Women’s Fundraising Committee.  She was a member of The Book Club.  Her Catholic faith brought her great hope as she lived her long life. She was a longtime member of St. James Church where she served as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. 

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, husband Henry in 2019, and her son John in 2008.  She is survived by her daughters Judith Elwood of Marietta, GA and Jennifer Waldeck of Athens, GA.  Others include her daughter-in-law Jane Waldeck, granddaughters Kristen Waldeck and Meghan (Angel) Ramos, and great-grandson Tyler all of Carlisle, PA; grandsons Hugh (Hope) Elwood of Atlanta, GA and Henry (Megan) Elwood, and great-granddaughter Lindler of Buford, GA.

Polly will be remembered for her love of all things beautiful.  She had excellent taste, and a great eye for fashion, entertainment, and her home.  She was a gracious hostess who welcomed everyone. She instilled in her children the importance of education, faith, imagination, and family.  She showed great care and devotion to her husband and parents in their later years. She represented a bygone era and will be deeply missed by her loved ones. 

A funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Saturday, May 3, at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish – St. James Church Site, 2532 Burton St. SE Warren, OH 44484.  The family will receive friends from 9 to 10am at the church before Mass.

Burial will be at All Souls Cemetery. 

The family would appreciate contributions to St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish – St. James Church Site, 2532 Burton St. SE Warren, OH 44484, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/), which was a cause Polly loved.   We are deeply grateful to Patriot Home Health and her many loving caregivers who allowed us to fulfill her wish to remain at home until the end.

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