Obituary: Baxley, Pauline “Pimmy”
She was 95 years old.
Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Lorraine, Ohio she graduated from high school in 1938, then attended nursing college in Washington D.C. obtaining an RN diploma.
It was there she met and later married Dr. B.
Hood Baxley, a founding member of the Spokane Anesthesia Group.
As a housewife raising three sons she found time to enjoy bridge and bowling.
She was an active community volunteer working many elections, vaccination programs, Bloomsdays and Hoop Fests.
Shortly before the death of her husband in 1969 she joined the Spokane Club after the opening of their athletic section and became a fixture at the pool and indoor track, winning many swimming and running mileage competitions.
She ran many Bloomsdays finishing one in her late 50s in 74 minutes, which was noted in an article of this newspaper at the time.
She became the first full time woman bailiff at Spokane’s Superior Court working for Judge Olson until his retirement and then for Judge John S. Ripple.
She was featured again in a May 2nd, 1976 “Review” article, which highlighted some of her Court House experiences.
She was a reverent parishioner of St. Augustine Parish, attending Mass daily.
Sadly, age related mobility deterioration forced a gradual curtailment of her passionate devotion.
Her oldest son Ben passed away in 2009.
She is survived by Dr. Robert S., Baxley and William H. “Bill” Baxley and three grandchildren: Bernard, Zoe, and Meagan.
She will be fondly remembered by the many whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Gonzaga Prep in her name would be greatly appreciated.
“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
Proverbs, 3:24.
A Vigil Service will be held at 6 pm on Friday, August 7th at Hennessey Funeral Home (2203 N. Division).
Funeral Mass will follow the next day at 10 am at St. Augustine Parish (428 W. 19th).
To view Pauline’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.