Alma Pauline Omer Childs

Pauline Childs

Mrs. "C"

On August 15, 2020, the choirs in heaven received a new alto voice to their ranks. Those of us here on earth will be forced to wait until the next life to hear the voice of Pauline Omer Childs again. 

Pauline Omer Childs was born on January 15, 1929, in the Cottonwood Maternity Home to Leona and Gideon Omer. Pauline was the oldest of four sisters, Josephine “Jo”, Dorothy “Dot”, and Marion -- and younger sister to five brothers Stan, Wendell, Wayne, John and Kenneth. 

Being born in 1929, Pauline saw firsthand the challenges that came from the great depression. Her family was blessed to have pigs, cows, chickens, and a number of other opportunities to teach Pauline how to work. She had additional opportunities to earn money from neighbors, her Aunt Sutherland and Aunt Widerburg by picking all kinds of berries. 

Pauline grew up in a home full of music. This love for music was a deep part of her life and became a major part of her identity from childhood throughout her last days. Pauline’s first musical instrument was a ¾ violin that was given to her by her aunt Ruby. This talent and experience became a significant part of her life as she played throughout junior high and high school. She eventually joined the University of Utah’s orchestra during her freshman and sophomore years of college. Music became an integral part of her career, church service and family gatherings. 

When Pauline graduated from high school, she took a job that would change her life for the better. One of her friends invited her to work for the Utah Parks Company. During this experience, she was posted at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon Lodge and worked as a waitress and cabin maid. It was here that Pauline met the love of her life,  George Andrew “Andy” Childs, who was also working at the Grand Canyon Lodge in the kitchen as a cook. Pauline’s infectious personality and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ had a tremendous impact on Andy who eventually joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A short time later Pauline and Andy were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 6, 1952. 

Pauline was truly a homemaker. Pauline taught elementary school at Madison, Woodstock, Holliday, and William Penn. Although she was a dedicated elementary school teacher who loved her students, she loved her children and grandchildren even more. When she wasn’t doting over her grandchildren or singing in various choirs, she was usually at the University of Utah immersed in their sporting events. 

Pauline would cheer and sing the school fight song louder than most of the students.  All of her grandchildren can remember her singing throughout her home.  

Pauline was a wonderful neighbor. She was always willing to share some of her delicious cooking and was known for her Christmas candy and other Christmas traditions. Pauline knitted several dozen custom Christmas stockings that are treasured items by her children, grandchildren and friends.   

Neighbors of the Childs family on Kenton Drive were fortunate to have the added beauty of Pauline’s beautiful gardens in their midst. She worked tirelessly in planting, weeding and tending to her flowers and garden. Her yard was in immaculate shape, and grandchildren helped to mow the lawn and tend to those tasks in her later years under her supervision. 

Pauline had a love of nature and enjoyed experiences of traveling and exploring with her companion Andy. She experienced many miles on the road in their motorhome, and she especially loved experiences camping with her family.  She was a brave river-runner, and floated on the Snake River with her family at the age of 80 in 2009. Pauline loved sharing those experiences with her grandchildren. 

Pauline will be remembered fondly as a great matron of her family and friend circles. She was caring, kind and charitable in her actions and her presence will be missed. 

The family would like to thank the caregivers at East Millcreek Beehive Homes and Canyon Home Care and Hospice for their loving care of Pauline. 

A private family service with social distancing (due to Covid restrictions) will be held at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 E., Millcreek, Utah at 11:00 am on Wed. August 19, 2020 Interment will be immediately after at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. For those attending the service please remember to wear a mask and social distance.

For extended family and friends the services will be available to watch online by scrolling to the bottom of this obituary on the day of the service, and will remain available for 90 days.