Pauline Oxnard

Cheshire - Pauline Nelson Oxnard, longtime resident of Cheshire CT, died peacefully June 15 after several years spent at the Elim Park retirement community. She was the wife of Edward W. Oxnard MD, who died in 2001.

Polly, as she was known to everyone, was born in Wakefield, MA, on April 17, 1914. A 1935 graduate of Simmons College in Boston, she worked as a medical technologist at Williams College before marrying Edward on July 26, 1941, in Boxboro MA.

She was an avid golfer and member of the Wallingford County Club, where she and "Oxy" golfed regularly and participated in various regional tournaments. She was elected President of the Women's Golf Association at Wallingford CC. She was a member of the Cheshire Congregational Church for many years, and participated in the Women's Circle, where she was also elected Chairwoman. She worked tirelessly on their annual Strawberry Festival and various crafts fairs, children's toy drives, and other activities. They visited Holderness, NH every summer.

She was always helping someone. The neighbors counted on her to watch their homes, water their flowers, or feed the cats. Their children came to read books in her play room. She continued to help Simmons College with their fundraising, selling dozens of bags of deluxe pecans annually.

Her main focus while her husband was busy with his practice was her three children. She was an excellent cook and organizer. She taught them all to ski and to golf. Her grandchildren loved to visit and play with the toys, pick blueberries, run through the sprinkler and raid her black flowered cookie tin above the oven.

Her daughter Susan O. Rose of Reston VA, her son Thomas F Oxnard MD of Exeter NH, and her son Arthur E. Oxnard of East Hampton CT survive her. She has 8 grandchildren Nathan W. Oxnard of Deerfield NH, Geoffrey R. Oxnard MD of NYC, Andrew B. Oxnard of Lancaster MA, Rachel Oxnard Schmitt PhD of NYC, Helen A. Rose of Reston VA, Carlos Samuel Rose of Reston VA, Amelia O. Rose of Providence RI, and Moriah E. Oxnard of Oakland CA. Three great grandchildren are Madison C. Oxnard, Myrick A. Oxnard and Henry R Abrash. We will all miss her.

Arrangements - A memorial service will be held on Sunday August 2, 2009 at 3 PM at Elim Park in Nelson Hall, 150 Cook Hill Rd., Cheshire. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton, MA and there are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Dr. Cheshire, CT 06410. The Slater Funeral Home 242 S. Main St. Cheshire is assisting with arrangements.