Pauline D. Mullins

Pauline D. Mullins, age 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Born on October 2, 1925, Pauline was the only child of the late John J. and Anna D. (Zubrisky) Mullins. She was a lifelong resident of the City of Providence and she lived in the house in which she was born for 94 years.

Pauline was an ardent member of the first class to graduate from Mount Pleasant High School. Upon graduation, she attended Pembroke College in Brown University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1946. She went on to earn a Master of Education degree at Rhode Island College in 1951. She completed the coursework for a PhD at the University of Connecticut, however she withdrew prior to writing her dissertation when she decided to retire early to care for her ailing father at home. He also lived to be 96.

Professionally, Pauline's introduction into the working world was as a social worker for the RI State Department of Social Welfare. After 18 months, she left to become a fourth grade teacher at Broad Street School in Providence. Pauline enjoyed a long and diversified career in the Providence School Department that included elementary level teacher, critic teacher, cooperating teacher, Director of the Pre-Kindergarten Program (known nationally as Head Start), Principal of Smith Street and Camden Avenue Schools and finally as Segment Administrator (district superintendent). On many occasions throughout her retirement, Pauline stated that the Providence School Department had been very good to her.

One of the lighter moments of her teaching career included hosting a weekly summer television program on Channel 10 sponsored by the Providence School Department. The goal of the program was to encourage the continuation of a child's reading experiences over the summer months. Children participated by attending the taping of the program and discussing the books they had read.

Pauline also taught classes pertaining to elementary education at Providence College and Rhode Island College.

To satisfy her desire to observe a variety of cultures and traditions, Pauline visited fifteen countries on three continents. Her other retirement hobby was playing competitive contract bridge through the American Contract Bridge League where she earned the designation of Life Master in 1991.

Pauline will be sadly missed by a number of relatives and friends who will remember her devotion to family and faith. She was fun-loving and adventurous and she had a great sense of humor. She was a smart and competent woman, a great lover of animals (especially cats) and a delightful conversationalist with adults and children alike. She took great care to listen attentively to stories shared by her youngest cousins and to show her appreciation for their ideas and concern for their feelings. The children could sense that she respected them. Among the many cousins who survive her is Sheila (Whalen) Durfee of Marshfield, MA, daughter of her late cousin, Thelma (Mullins) Whalen who was her best friend.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Capitol Ridge at Providence who helped Pauline make the difficult transition to assisted living, even during a time when a worldwide pandemic made their jobs far more difficult. The dedication of these caring professionals to their residents is inspirational. The family would also like to acknowledge the kindness of Pauline's former neighbors on Forbes Street and Ardmore Avenue who looked out for her as she continued to live independently into her nineties. Finally, the family would like to thank the staff at Cherry Hill Manor in Johnston who provided excellent care to Pauline at the end of her life.

The public is invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 10 A.M. in St. Augustine Church, 639 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908. Private burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI. In accordance with Pauline's wishes, visitation and burial will be private. If you would like to honor Pauline's memory, please consider a gesture of kindness to someone in need or a donation to The Church of St. Augustine, 20 Old Road Providence, RI 02908. Funeral arrangements were made by Maceroni Funeral Home 1381 Smith Street, North Providence, RI 02911. maceroni.com