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Pauline R. Covert

By Joshua Smith

Basom - Pauline R. Covert, 103, of Basom, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, (March 22, 2016) at Medina Memorial Hospital, in Medina.

Mrs. Covert was born December 20, 1912 in Shelby Center, a daughter of the late Arthur James and Cora Bell (Parsons) Johnston.  Predeceased in death by her sisters Bernice Hewitt and Hildred Ehrens. 

Pauline’s beloved husband, Orson Covert passed away on April 24th, 1996.  The couple began their 62 year journey of wedded bliss in March of 1934.  Their devotion to one another was steadfast, as reflected in Pauline’s account of how she and Orson wrote letters to one another, every single day while Orson was stationed overseas during WWII.

Both Pauline and Orson were baptized by immersion at the Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church close to the time they had become married.  When they settled their home in Basom, it was decided they would attend their neighboring church, Basom United Methodist until its closure, which took Pauline to Alabama United Methodist where she worshiped regularly for the past several years. 

Pauline is survived by a niece, Gail (David) Clarke of Rochester and Florida as well as many neighbors and friends, all of which will hold her memory dear.

Pauline enjoyed entertaining friends that would “call on her” later in life, with animated narratives of her 103 years of adventures and experiences.

As a young child, Pauline vividly described the excitement that ensued in the Town of Shelby neighborhood where she grew up, when the New York State Troopers would pass through on horseback, patrolling every few months (circa 1920).

Her most endeared topic of recollection was that of she and Orson’s passion for dancing.  Especially entertaining were the stories of frequenting barn dances, early on during the days of prohibition and then later becoming steady customers at the Indian Falls Hotel, where they would dance the night away.  She chuckled while reliving how friends all piled into old roadsters, the women typically relegated to the rumble seat, even in the dead of winter, keeping themselves warm by hunkering down underneath heavy Buffalo Blankets.  A favorite memory was of how she and Orson “dressed to the nines” to attend a ball where Guy Lombardo was the bandleader.

Friends may call on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield, where Pauline’s Funeral Service will immediately follow calling at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alabama United Methodist Church, 1392 Church Street, Basom, NY  14013.  Burial will be in Millville Cemetery, Medina.  Please light a candle, share a story, or leave a condolence at www.burdettandsanford.com.

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