Obituary for Pauline Dean
Pauline Bertha Melancon Dean was born April 2, 1934, in Manchester, NH, to Edward A
Melancon and Bertha Trudel. She died April 15, 2022, at home in Greenbank, with her
daughter, Sandra, by her side. Despite the decline of body and mind, her sense of
humor and sweetness shone through until the end.
Pauline is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son. Sandra Moon of Greenbank, WA, Sherri
Dean of Seattle, WA, Eugenie Dean of Dallas, TX, Russell and Tamara Dean of Grants
Pass, OR. Her grandchildren are Jeffrey Moon, Lena List, Sarah Massengale, Giovanna
Miller, Coco Dean, Crystal Dean and Daniel Dean. Great Grandchildren are Maximus,
Genevieve and Aramis Moon. Sisters are Eugenie Campbell and Doris Schuknecht. As
well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Pauline was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Bertha Melancon, brother, Alfred
Melanson, sister, Irene Viel and sons, Danny and David Dean.
Pauline grew up in Manchester, NH. She loved her family, the beach and the lakes. As a
teenager she worked in one of the many shoe factories along the Merrimack River. She
met John Dean when he was stationed at a nearby Air Force Base. They fell in love,
married and eventually moved their growing family to Paramount, CA. There, Pauline
poured her heart into her family. She was a loving wife and mother. She made holidays
memorable with her spectacular feasts. Pauline took a lot of pride in her homemaking
skills. She loved baking bread and sewing clothing for herself and the children.
Pauline didn’t drive until she was in her 30’s. She volunteered at school and sang in the
church choir. As the children grew older, Pauline began working outside the home. She
worked in the school cafeteria and as a ward clerk at Kaiser Hospital. In California is
where Pauline discovered her love of running. She was proudest of running a half
marathon in her 60’s and for almost always winning in her age group. She was an
inspiration to all of us. Pauline was a “Health Nut” before being a health nut was cool.
Pauline lived in many places, but her favorites were Grants Pass, OR and Florence and
Missoula, MT. In Grants Pass she loved her garden, her church and dancing at the
Senior Center. Pauline lived in Florence, MT and owned and operated the “Kings Hat
Cafe” in Lolo, MT. She loved owning the cafe, cooking was in her blood. But, it was also
the hardest work she’d ever experienced. In Missoula, she really came into her own and
became involved in politics. She was a Patriot of the highest caliber, a proud Tea Party
member. In Montana she volunteered as a “Senior Companion”, driving the elderly to
appointments. She also served as a “Foster Grandparent” at the Hellsgate Elementary
School. She dearly loved reading to the little ones.
After a lifetime of being a devout Christian, she has gone home. Her family is so grateful
for the outstanding care and support of the Whidbey Health Hospice Team, especially
Jeannie and Delores and to Pauline’s respite caregiver, Verena. A Life Celebration will
be held in May in Huntington Beach, CA .
Melancon and Bertha Trudel. She died April 15, 2022, at home in Greenbank, with her
daughter, Sandra, by her side. Despite the decline of body and mind, her sense of
humor and sweetness shone through until the end.
Pauline is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son. Sandra Moon of Greenbank, WA, Sherri
Dean of Seattle, WA, Eugenie Dean of Dallas, TX, Russell and Tamara Dean of Grants
Pass, OR. Her grandchildren are Jeffrey Moon, Lena List, Sarah Massengale, Giovanna
Miller, Coco Dean, Crystal Dean and Daniel Dean. Great Grandchildren are Maximus,
Genevieve and Aramis Moon. Sisters are Eugenie Campbell and Doris Schuknecht. As
well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Pauline was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Bertha Melancon, brother, Alfred
Melanson, sister, Irene Viel and sons, Danny and David Dean.
Pauline grew up in Manchester, NH. She loved her family, the beach and the lakes. As a
teenager she worked in one of the many shoe factories along the Merrimack River. She
met John Dean when he was stationed at a nearby Air Force Base. They fell in love,
married and eventually moved their growing family to Paramount, CA. There, Pauline
poured her heart into her family. She was a loving wife and mother. She made holidays
memorable with her spectacular feasts. Pauline took a lot of pride in her homemaking
skills. She loved baking bread and sewing clothing for herself and the children.
Pauline didn’t drive until she was in her 30’s. She volunteered at school and sang in the
church choir. As the children grew older, Pauline began working outside the home. She
worked in the school cafeteria and as a ward clerk at Kaiser Hospital. In California is
where Pauline discovered her love of running. She was proudest of running a half
marathon in her 60’s and for almost always winning in her age group. She was an
inspiration to all of us. Pauline was a “Health Nut” before being a health nut was cool.
Pauline lived in many places, but her favorites were Grants Pass, OR and Florence and
Missoula, MT. In Grants Pass she loved her garden, her church and dancing at the
Senior Center. Pauline lived in Florence, MT and owned and operated the “Kings Hat
Cafe” in Lolo, MT. She loved owning the cafe, cooking was in her blood. But, it was also
the hardest work she’d ever experienced. In Missoula, she really came into her own and
became involved in politics. She was a Patriot of the highest caliber, a proud Tea Party
member. In Montana she volunteered as a “Senior Companion”, driving the elderly to
appointments. She also served as a “Foster Grandparent” at the Hellsgate Elementary
School. She dearly loved reading to the little ones.
After a lifetime of being a devout Christian, she has gone home. Her family is so grateful
for the outstanding care and support of the Whidbey Health Hospice Team, especially
Jeannie and Delores and to Pauline’s respite caregiver, Verena. A Life Celebration will
be held in May in Huntington Beach, CA .