Pauline Niederhofer Stricklin Henderson

June 30, 2009 11:24 pm

— Pauline Niederhofer Stricklin Henderson went to her heavenly home June 28 at 7:45 a.m.
Pauline was born Aug. 26, 1917, to John and Maude Niederhofer in Walker County. She was one of 10 children, and she lived and worked on the family farm until high school graduation. She then moved to Houston, where she met and married Sammy Stricklin. They moved to Baytown in 1941, and she lived there until March 2007 when she moved to Georgetown.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Sammy Stricklin; a daughter, Mary Stricklin; her second husband, Harry Henderson; and several brothers and sisters.
The memory of her will be cherished forever by her son, James Stricklin and wife JoAnn; daughter, Paula and husband Al Dennis; son, Don Stricklin and wife Debbie; and son, Walter Stricklin. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Greg Stricklin, Julie Stricklin and Chad Dennis; and four great-grandchildren.
Survivors also include step-son, Mike Henderson and wife Sue; step-daughter, Donna and husband Bill Legare; three step-grandchildren, Michelle Wheeler, Lynn Wilson and Ted Henderson; and five stepgreat-grandchildren. She is survived also by her sister, Lorene Cooper and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pauline loved her family and her church. She was a devoted Mother and was always a caregiver. She continually did for others and gave of herself by regularly visiting friends and neighbors at hospitals and nursing homes and taking food to shut-ins.
Pauline was of the Methodist faith and a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baytown from 1941 until her death. Through the years, she was active on the Administrative Board, Methodist’s Women Organization, Christian Women, Sunday school, MYF, Vacation Bible School, the Child Care Center, and the Thrift Shop. She loved the people and the activities of her church. Until she moved in 2007, Pauline worked at the Thrift Shop two or three days a week. She always said that the women she worked with were her social group.
She was one of the founders of the Coady Hub Club and the Cedar Bayou Home Demonstration Club. These clubs were based on the Christian home and family and the teaching of children two things which were very important to her.
When her children were in school, she was an active participant in school affairs, and she made it a point to know the principals and teachers. She was active in PTA, and she loved to chaperone school activities. She enjoyed having home parties for her children and their friends, and her home was a base for neighborhood children.
At the age of 50, Pauline returned to school to earn her nursing degree. This was quite a challenge, but it was something she had always wanted to do, and it never occurred to her that she could not do it. Being a nurse was a true calling, and she loved every minute of it.
Dancing, traveling, gardening, playing games and being with friends were other interests dear to Pauline.
Pauline will truly be missed by all who knew her. She had a gentle, quiet spirit, one full of life and caring. She also had a lot of determination and will power which was truly needed rearing her four children. Many sacrifices were made for the sake of her children, and they truly appreciate all she did for each of them through the years.
A Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, with Bishop Jim Welch officiating at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. A graveside service will follow at Blackjack Cemetery in Huntsville.
The family extends a special thanks to the many caregivers at The Lodge and Cabins at Rocky Hollow and Texas Home Health Hospice. They made her life happy, comfortable and content.
Memorial donations can be made to Texas Home Health Hospice, 3520 Executive Center Dr. Suite 320, Austin, Texas 78731.
Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Sam Houston