Pauline Shultz Brown

Pauline "Red Feather" Fielding Brown, of Uncasville passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of 17 December, 2013 at Crescent Point Senior Living Community in Niantic. Pauline was born the daughter of Loretta "Red Bird" (Fielding) and Robert Schultz on 21 September 1928 on Mohegan Hill in a small house on Route 32 next to the present day Tantaquidgeon Indian Museum. She grew up picking wild berries, walking to her 1-room schoolhouse, and learning from her Mohegan ancestors before attending Norwich Free Academy. In her first job she served as a switchboard operator for Southern New England Telephone Company in Norwich in the 1940s, often fooling callers by saying “bumble bees” instead of “number please?”. As a young woman she traveled Route 66 to California with her girlfriends, and was a lifelong story teller, regularly reflecting on those younger days and her Indian heritage. As the wife of a United States Army Paratrooper, Pauline relocated often in support of her husband and served as a volunteer in a number of capacities before finally returning home to Connecticut in the mid-70s. Pauline served the tribe prior to their Federal Recognition in 1994, and then served on the Mohegan Tribe Council of Elders. For the past decade, Pauline was a great friend to all the residents at the Fort Hill residential community. As a Tribal Nonner (elder female of respect), Pauline shared her love of painting and basket-making in her role as a true ambassador for the Mohegan Tribe, mentor to younger women, and mother to more than just her children. She will always be remembered for her grace, elegance and her kind and gentle soul.

Pauline was pre-deceased by husband Michael Brown, sisters Roberta “Red Bird” Cooney, and Norma Smith, and son Michael "Pathfinder" Brown. She is survived by brother Lawrence "Red Moon" Schultz, son Mark "Matahga" Brown, son Kevin "Red Eagle" Brown, and Grand-children Carrie, Mikel, Tyler, Erin, Mark, Matthew, and Luke as well as numerous nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday December 21st from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.at the Church and Allen Funeral Home at 53 Norwich-New London Turnpike in Uncasville. A private memorial service will be held at the Mohegan Congregational Church at the convenience of the family and a closed burial ceremony for Pauline’s ashes will take place at the Shantok Burial Ground in the spring.

To leave an online condolence for the Brown family please visit www.montvillefuneralhome.com