Pauline B Davis

Hers was an infectious grin that overwhelmed the lines and furrows earned over 94 years of living the best life she possibly could.

Pauline Anna Davis passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 23. Her death followed by just two months that of her husband of 49 years. Leonard Thomas Davis.

Lenny once confided that his soul mate Pauline “was the only truly free spirit” he ever knew, and her life as a working mom and an independent thinker, the glue that held her increasingly dispersed family together and so much more all testify to the truth of Lenny’s words.

It was family lore, that on holiday events, Pauline always kept a place open for anyone who might need it.

A child of the Depression who came of age as Word War II was winding down; Pauline Anna Bletz was born in 1930 in Lancaster, PA. She was the third eldest of ten brothers and sisters. The Bletz family lived in modest circumstance, and forged strong familial ties that would bind these siblings together through good times and bad, for a lifetime.

Long the matriarch of her family, Pauline leaves three surviving sibling: Donald Bletz, of Vermont, James Bletz, of Micco and Nancy Murray, of Jacksonville.

In 1955, Pauline moved to south Florida with her husband, James Cunningham, and their two children, Ronald and Donna. To help hold her family together, far from home, Pauline went to work as a waitress – an occupation she would pursue throughout her working life.

With her first husband, a truck driver, frequently on the road, and herself obligated to work full time, Pauline strove to impart to her children a strong sense of responsibility, independence and ethical behavior. All qualities that would stand them in good stead throughout their adult years.

In addition to Ronald Cunningham, of Gainesville, and Donna Hegenbart, of Micco, Pauline is survived by four grandchildren: Christan Marie Medina, of Dunlop, IL, Terry Lynn Turberville, of Ft. Lauderdale, Jennifer Ann Cunningham, of Bethesda, MD, and Andrew James Cunningham, of San Francisco.

She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Taylor Raye Turberville-Jarrett, of Orlando and Michael Andrew and Samantha Medina, of Dunlop IL.

Additional survivors include Lenny’s daughters, Christine Hoffman of Prince Anne, MD, Terri Schmidt of Pylesville, MD.

After their marriage, Pauline and Lenny relocated from south Florida to Brevard County. For several years, they lived the “island life” to its fullest on VIP Island in the Indian River off Grant. Eventually, they left the island for a home in Micco. Among other pursuits, they developed a love for line dancing, a passion they continued to enjoy into their retirement years. Up until the final days of her life, Pauline’s radiant smile continued to endear her to family, friends and strangers alike. Despite the inevitable fading of that smile, Pauline Anna Davis ended her days as she had lived her entire life in quiet dignity.

This free spirit is, at last, truly free.