Obituary of Pauline Kinney
It is with sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Baba, Pauline Kinney, 96, on October 27, 2023 of Lloydminster AB. Born Nov. 21, 1926 in Landonville, AB, she was one of 14 children of John and Catherine (nee Mudryk) Trach.
Pauline left home at a very young age and over the years built a career as a waitress working at several cafés and later managed a café. Memorable was her time at the Royal Café in Lloydminster in the 1940s and later Nelson Lumber Wagon Wheel Café for 22 years. She loved chatting and laughing with every customer, and took great pride in the food she served and excellent customer service she provided. She was known to Nelson staff as ‘99’ as whenever they asked, “How are you Polly?” She cheerfully replied, “99!”
She met her husband James (Jim) Kinney at a dance in Clandonald, he (27) lived in the south and she (18) in the north. A year later they married and several years after they welcomed their daughter Eunice Mary. They lived and worked in a few places, Vancouver BC where she enjoyed time with Jim’s family originating from Ireland, then returned to Clandonald, and following bought a home in Vermillion. They later separated and Pauline moved to Lloydminster with Eunice and she and Jim remained in touch and lifelong friends.
Pauline is fondly remembered in earlier times for her 1977 Thunderbird which she loved to drive around Lloydminster and her flair for fashion with horned-rimmed glasses, updos and mid-century modern home décor. And later, for her neat and tidy dress with hair done and shoes clean as it was always important to look her best; for her love for county music with many evenings spent singing to the (now) country oldies; for her lap to sit and warm embrace shared with her grandchildren and later great grandchildren, along with Baba’s perogies and puffy pancakes that only she could make. And overall, for her steadfast work ethic, friendly and joking exchanges, endless love for her daughter, and great joy in spoiling her grandchildren.
Pauline leaves behind her two granddaughters: Terra Brown and Suann Brown, Kelowna BC and great grandchildren Emily, Chloe, Ryder and Senna and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. And will reunite with her daughter Eunice Brown (who sadly passed at 65 in 2013), friend Jim Kinney (passed at 99 in 2017) and brothers and sisters in heaven.
A Celebration of Life for Pauline will be held in summer 2024 with details to be announced in May. Donations in Pauline’s memory can be made to the Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation – Dr. Cooke Patient Comfort Fund where she was cared for by the amazing staff there for over eight years.
