Pauline Buchanan

Pauline Harrison Clarke Buchanan was born on May 4th, 1928, to John Wilfred and Ada (Whyte) Harrison, in Arlington, Massachusetts. Known as "sis" or "sister", she had very fond memories of her childhood spent in Carlisle Ma. with five siblings, Helen (Macone), Jack, Ada (Barnett), Marion 'Juggi' (Stebbins) and Wanda (Adams).

She grew up at a time when women were not encouraged to seek higher education, so, despite her natural curiosity and high intellect, she did what was expected - got married and had children. At 48 years old, after four children and two divorces, she finally got the chance to go to college and studied computer programming. She went on to have a successful career at Brandeis University and excelled in her field until she retired.

Following retirement, she stayed very active.  She traveled with, and later coordinated, elder hostels; started several book clubs; loved to play bridge and mahjong; and almost always had a jigsaw puzzle in progress. She was a talented painter, an avid bird watcher, played piano by ear, had a lovely singing voice, and enjoyed fostering a love of learning and culture in her grandchildren.

She moved to Arlington, Texas and lived there for more than 20 years until the death of her son, Robert Buchanan. In 2013 Pauline came to Peterborough, New Hampshire, where she volunteered at the Kyes-Sage Bookshop, attended services at the Union Congregational Church, and took long walks daily, well into her early-90's. She lived independently (with a little help from family at the beginning and the end) for almost fifty years. Her sharp wit would still frequently flash through even after five years of worsening dementia, and she died quickly and without pain, at the age of 96, on the morning of September 28th, 2024.

She was as good a mom as she knew how to be, and her last year was one of kind and gentle love. She especially enjoyed her frequent visits with her twin great granddaughters, Annika and Louisa Kreutz, who brought joy and light to her last years and loved her fiercely.

She was predeceased by four of her siblings (Juggi is the exception), and is survived by her remaining three children, Johanna (Bill) Higgins of Concord MA, Chuck (Suk) Clarke of Quincy MA, and Amy (Matthew) Cabana, of Temple NH; her 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family, all of whom she was very proud. She always sought to be useful, and even in her 96th year, talked about wanting to get a job and trim the trees she could see from her window. She was well cared for and loved at The Jaffrey Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center her last three years, and we are grateful for their kindness and compassion.

In her memory, if you still can, hug your mom and tell her you love her. Her life will be celebrated in the spring, on May 4th, 2025, her 97th birthday.