Marie Pauline Leister

August 31, 1923 - November 9, 2015

Marie Pauline Jones Leister departed this life for her eternal rest Monday, November 9, 2015.

Pauline was born in Wagener, SC to loving parents, Daniel Oscar and Eva Brown Jones. After finishing high school in Wagener, Pauline began her nursing career in the US Army Cadet Nurse Corps at Roper Hospital, Charleston, SC. She met US Army Corps Lieutenant Will Leister, a bombardier-navigator on B24s, by fortunate accident at a seafood restaurant in Charleston. Later in the year, Will was transferred to Gowen Air Force Base in Boise, ID and, a month later, Pauline arrived to marry him in a military wedding on July 10, 1945. While in Boise, Pauline worked in various positions for the local telephone exchange. In late 1945, Pauline and Will moved to Philadelphia, PA where their son, Dennis Leister, was born August 18, 1946. Pauline worked in a drugstore in Philadelphia until the family moved to North Wales, PA. Will went to work for the Naval Research Development Center in Johnsville, PA and Pauline worked in a local hosiery mill. Later, Will secured a position at the new Eastern Test Range at Cape Canaveral, FL, so the family moved to Florida in December of 1955. Pauline worked as an RN in a number of local hospitals. Will and Pauline retired in Merritt Island, FL where they have lived since 1988. How fortunate Merritt Island was to have this amazing lady as a friend and neighbor for over 25 years.

Pauline was an artist who loved playing the organ and reading. She was an avid grower of orchids and was considered to be a “damn good cook” by her husband and son.

Pauline was pre-deceased by her parents and three older sisters and will be mourned by her husband Will, her son Dennis, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her nieces and nephew.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015, at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home Chapel, Merritt Island, FL beginning at 12:00 noon for visitation and 1:00 P.M. for the service.