TORRINGTON – Pauline Mae (Smith) Deahl passed away May 14, 2022. She was born September 18, 1927 to D. W. Smith and Emma (Peterson) Smith in Redbill, Wyoming. Her father rode a horse from Redbill to Lyman, Nebraska to get the doctor for the delivery. She began her education in a one-room schoolhouse and told the story that the Shetland she rode to school gave her quite a ride on the way home. She eventually graduated from Torrington High School and then business college in Denver. The day of the Blizzard of ‘49, Pauline and eventual husband Leonard went to a movie in Torrington. Snow was everywhere when they left the theater but Leonard got her home to the family farm, and he then headed back to his home. Due to the blizzard, she had no idea if he had made it or not and was very concerned. However, he did beat the height of the storm and they were eventually married and had two sons. They celebrated 66 years of marriage. Pauline had several secretarial jobs before Al Conger hired her as his secretary at Goshen County Community College. She was efficient enough that Al decided she could do everything secretarial, gave her a raise, and made her the only secretary.
Pauline fondly recalled having the president read grades as she recorded them, and Chemistry instructor Dave Morey calculated the GPA on his slide rule. GCCC eventually built a facility and became Eastern Wyoming College. She finished her career with EWC serving as the financial secretary. And one of the proudest moments of her life was being named, with three others, as a recipient of the EWC Service Award. She had a lifetime affiliation with the First Baptist Church, serving as church secretary for many years.
Many lifetime friends were made through that fellowship. Pauline enjoyed teaching Sunday School, the fellowship of Circle, service to American Baptist Women, and many other activities. She was a member of PEO and various civic committees. But her primary attention was to family. Family dinners and picnics, both with immediate and extended family, were frequent.
Pauline is survived by sons Wayne of Torrington and Michael (Susan) Deahl of Dallas. Grandchildren Mike (Meghan) Bostick and great-granddaughter Rose of Lander, Kristen Deahl of Dallas, Texas, and Jessica Deahl of Austin, Texas; sister Donna Levine of Alameda, California and sister-in-law Georgia Mitchell of Laramie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; and daughter-in-law Catherine. Viewing will be Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Colyer Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at the First Baptist Church in Torrington with a private family burial later. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund.
