Pauline Bridget Reed

Pauline Reed was born in Ballinderry in County Tipperary, Ireland. She was the fifth child of 12 in her family. After attending boarding school in Mountmellick, she attended nursing school in London, training to be a registered nurse.

Pauline was a true adventure seeker. After nursing school, she stayed in England, where she worked as a midwife, travelling to homes on her bicycle in the East End of London. Searching for even more excitement, she moved across the Atlantic Ocean to work as a nurse in New York City.

In 1966, after a year abroad, Pauline decided to return home to Ireland to work. While at an engagement party for friends in Dublin, she met a New Zealander named Clif Reed. They arranged for a first date and decided that Clif would pick her up after work at the hospital. When Clif arrived to greet Pauline, he could not find her; however, he drove around for a while looking for her. As he was about to give up, he found Pauline waiting at another door on the other side of the hospital. Their almost-missed first date led to many more dates and then to marriage several months later.

After living in Dublin for a while, Clif and Pauline, both ready for a new experience, moved to Toronto, Canada, in 1967 and then later to San Diego, CA, in 1968. After working as a nurse for a couple of years, Pauline started a new career as a homemaker and raised two sons, Scott and Richard. She and her family called San Diego home for many years.

Pauline never lost her zest for travel. She explored new countries, visited family in both Ireland and New Zealand, and especially cherished her time at a second home in Mammoth Lakes, CA, where her family made many memories together. After retiring, she and Clif continued their passion for adventure, sailing across the Pacific Ocean alone, visiting many of the Pacific Islands and making new friends along the way.

Pauline’s gregarious nature allowed her to make friends wherever she went. Also known for her daring fashion choices, she embraced a colorful wardrobe filled with gold and leopard prints; in fact, Pauline never met a leopard print that she didn’t like! She was an amazing cook, an enthusiastic entertainer, a caring but firm mother, and an adoring grandmother. She had a huge heart and did many special things in secret for family and friends. She is survived by husband, Clif; son Scott (wife Kelly); son Richard; and grandchildren Alexander, Mitchell, Shane (wife Rachel), Justin, and Alexis. She was greatly loved by her family and friends and will be missed until we see her again!