Pauline Margret Olsen

Pauline was born in in Poplar Hill, Alberta on the Forseth family farm. Her parents had immigrated to Canada from Norway, a heritage that was embraced by Pauline and her eight siblings throughout their lives. Life in Northern Alberta in the 30’s was hard especially in the winter. Mom would tell stories about those days but always made things sound like adventures. When the ice and snow covered the road to school, her dad would sit the children in the wagon, wrap rocks from the fire in cloth and place them by their little feet. He would slap the horse’s backside and off it trotted, driverless with the Forseth children cozy under their blankets.

Eventually, the Forseths moved to Nipawin, Saskatchewan where Pauline met and married Dan Lockwood Sr. The young couple moved to Regina and soon had their first son, Bill. A move west followed and Duane, Dan and James were born in B.C. The family settled on acreage in Cherry Creek. Her Sunday dinners and warm hospitality blended to bring many friends to the table. Always a good sport, Mom joined the boys fishing, horseback riding, dirt biking, skiing, golfing and attending their various sports events. The Lockwoods spent many winters skiing the slopes at Tod Mountain. As an employee of Jardine’s Sporting Goods, Pauline was privy to the latest ski fashions. Her fluffy, fur hat framed her pretty face and allowed the boys to find her from the back of the lift line-up.

Her next job was as a cosmetician at Boots Drug Store. She delighted in helping her customers. Later, she changed careers and became a dental assistant. Pauline could light the room with her smile. To her, working meant meeting new people.

As empty nesters, Dan and Pauline spent each March in Hawaii. They loved the sunny beaches and the golf courses.

Sadly, in 1992, after a brief illness our dad, Dan Sr. was called to enter heaven leaving his wife of 37 years left to mourn his loss.

The years passed and eventually Pauline’s brother, Caroll introduced her to a recently retired, Norwegian American fisherman, Thor Olsen. The two were married in 2000 and Pauline was swept off to Seattle to spend the next 23 years by her sweetheart’s side. The couple traveled extensively, even returning to Norway where Thor grew up and Pauline had longed to visit. Their travels often included visiting family in Canada and throughout the United States. The couple purchased a winter home in Arizona and built a network of friends there, too. Thor learned to golf and the two were inseparable.

On October 28, 2023 the angels ushered Thor into heaven and Pauline was once again, left to mend her broken heart. Two months later, Mom flew to Kelowna and then to Kamloops to spend the holidays with her kids, grandkids and great-grands. What started as a wonderful visit turned into a trip to emergency on Christmas day and on January 4th, Pauline’s lovely smile, quick laugh and bright eyes rested. God called her home.

Pauline and both her beloved husbands loved the Lord. She discovered Jesus as a child and her faith never wavered. She prayed fervently for those she loved and trusted God to carry her through life. Church was her sanctuary, a place where she felt at home in any city.

Pauline will always be remembered by her children: Bill (Patsy), Duane (Val), Dan (Sheila), James (Heather), Thor’s children: Becky (Steve), Beth (Larry), Steve (Julie), Rachael (Loren) All their Grandchildren: William (Amber), AJ (Liz), Maggie (Thomas), Kim (Andrew), Jake, Luke (Janelle), Dustin (Kimberly), Cody, Jordan (Heather), Brandon (Lanna), Jordan (Heather), Ashlea, Karmen (Eric), Kory (Alyssa), Kale (Kalin), Astrid (Brandon), Gabriel, Signe (Erik), Nikolai (Bailee), Tristen and 28 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Pauline’s Life will be held on January 27 at 2 pm at Schoenings Chapel, 513 Seymour Street.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice House. The family is so grateful for the exceptional care given to Mom at Kamloops Hospice House.

Livestream link https://fweb.tv/116378