Pauline Bayliss Brouillard's Obituary
Pauline Bayliss Brouillard, age 93, affectionately called "Nanny Too" by her grandchildren. Born March 31, 1921, in London, England passed away on Monday, September 8, 2014, at home in St. Petersburg, with her daughter Teresa and son-in-law Jim by her side.
Pauline lived in many places in England including, London, Sussex, Bournemouth, Essex and Worthing. She would tell stories of her wonderful childhood, her life in England, and her experiences during the war. She went to school at Holy Family and St. Mary's Convents, St. Mary's High School and graduated from Clark's College majoring in secretarial and bookkeeping. She worked at Cunard White Star Lines as a secretary and then Cable and Wireless as a telegraphist and served in the land army during the war. She was a war bride marrying her first husband US Army 1LT Harold J. Sprankel in 1945 while he was stationed in England and their first daughter, Linda, was born in 1946. Pauline and her 10 weeks old daughter traveled on an old troop ship, The General Alexander, to America to join her husband. She had not planned to leave England with her daughter only being 10 weeks old but received an urgent letter from the American Government saying anyone refusing the trip then may have to wait years. It was a miserable trip and took 9 days. Her parents promised to follow a year later and did with her younger brother David. While in the service they lived in several states such as Alabama, North Carolina, New Jersey and Maryland. They enjoyed service life and made many new friends. In 1950 they moved from Bethesda, Maryland to Florida, lived in Indian Rocks Beach and had their second daughter Teresa in 1951. Pauline worked at several different jobs supporting her family and when her father passed away suddenly, her two daughters, mum and youngest brother moved in together and later moved to St. Petersburg. In 1959 she married Fred Brouillard, and they bought a larger house so all the family could continue to all live together. Pauline's first daughter Linda and her family moved from St. Petersburg and she missed them tremendously, counting the days until her next trip to be with them or when they would be able to visit, which they both did as often as they could. When they returned to St. Petersburg, Pauline was ecstatic and she and Linda spent every day they could together and with her grandsons. They were always very close, had great fun together and were best friends. Linda and her husband were very family oriented and celebrated every holiday and children's holiday always including Pauline and the family. These were always joyous times. Some of Pauline's most cherished and happy times were those spent with Linda and her family. In 1978, Pauline experienced one of the greatest losses a mother can, the loss of her daughter, Linda, at the age of 32 in St. Petersburg from cancer. She was devastated. Pauline enjoyed working and always had a very high work ethic in whatever she did. She worked at Mid-States Insurance and then Florida State Employment Service Office where she was an interviewer specialist; responsible for the local office TRA; Immigration; radio, television and newspaper advertising; youth program and was employee of the month. She retired in 1983 after 21 years with the State of Florida Dept. Labor and Employment Security. Pauline was a very strong woman enduring much and many losses throughout her life. She was devoted to her family and they always came first. She loved and cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was a main and important part of their lives. She was looking forward to being a great-great grandmother in December. She enjoyed dancing, parties, a drink, and having fun. She was a fabulous cook and baker; always including her British fare in the menu. A few of her family's favorite things and always requested were her delectable sausage rolls, meat pies, sheppard pies, jam tarts, maids of honor and trifles. She took great pride in everything she did, was always very sensible, organized, and enjoyed organizing and would spend hours on various projects loving every minute of it. She loved typing and continued to use a typewriter rather than a computer. She always believed in the personal touch of writing letters to mail rather than using email or computers and her letters were always informative and very entertaining. She provided Jim with many wonderful mother-in-law jokes and accepted them with jest. She loved to joke around, have fun and loved all her pets and all animals. She traveled extensively with Teresa and Jim and looked forward to their yearly trip to Key West loving the atmosphere, music, beach and sitting on the balcony overlooking the water and boats. She always liked taking part in all of her grandchildren's and great grandchildren's events and activities over the years and spending time with them and family. Last year she traveled to Arkansas to take part in her first great granddaughter, Ashley's wedding to Austin Oxner which brought much joy and laughter. Pauline was an elegant lady, always taking pride in her meticulous appearance. Her presence at family & friend gatherings were always looked forward to by those attending as all who knew her appreciated her humor and candidness. Pauline's love and devotion for all of her family was unsurpassed. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, best friend and the heart and soul of her family. Her family always knew she would embrace them with love, help and a home when they were in need and she took in many over the years. She was "directly" honest, loyal, fun-loving, feisty, entertaining and always had her family's best interest at heart. She touched many lives in many different ways and will be deeply missed by her family and friends and forever in our hearts. She was an active member of the St. Petersburg Women's Chamber of Commerce and took part in several committees, her favorite being making fresh flower arrangements with Teresa for the club meetings and fundraiser. She was also a member of Infinity, The League to Aide Abused Children and Adults, Inc. and the Woman's Service League, Inc. She was a member of the DBE - Daughters of the British Empire (USA), St. Petersburg Woman's Club, Cross of Lorraine and previously volunteered at the Museum of Fine Arts Gift Shop. She left her family with the true meaning of family, how important it is and the greatest gift in life. She is survived by her daughter Teresa and son-in-law Jim Wittstruck; Grandson Paul Finocchi (Kathleen) and great grandchildren Lynda Ashley Finocchi Oxner, Nicholas, Lilianna and Emily Finocchi; Grandson Dean Finocchi and great granddaughters Isabella and Lucia Finocchi; Grandson Lance Finocchi; Step-grandchildren Clayton and Jenny Wittstruck and step-great grandchildren Lauren, Layne and Maddie; nephew Jerry Sprankel, niece Vanda Bayliss, cousins and extended family. She is predeceased by her daughter Linda P. Finocchi, father and mother Basil and Gertrude Bayliss, brothers Geoffrey and David Bayliss; step-son Ricky Brouillard and first husband Harold J. Sprankel. She was forever grateful for the care and attention given to her great-grandson when in need. Donations may be sent in her memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital: Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.
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