The incredible, 92-year life of Pauline Marion (Wright) Fox began on a farm in Breezy Hill, N.H., August 31, 1928, born to Florence and Elwood Wright. As the youngest daughter of seven children (Roger, Iola, Barbara, Susan, Irene, and “Jim” Elwood), Pauline learned self-reliance while mastering selfless love. Just as growing up in the Depression shaped Pauline’s formative years, so did her Scottish heritage, resulting in resilience, resourcefulness, and a lifelong diet of crackers and red wine.

A one-room schoolhouse in Lisbon, N.H. sparked Pauline’s passion to become a teacher, where she helped the younger children with their schoolwork. After graduating from Plymouth State Teachers College in 1950, Pauline moved to Newtown. There she met Harry Fox, who — like all that knew Pauline — benefitted from her infamous tough love and transcendental baking.

Harry and Pauline married in 1956, moving to Bridgeport, where Pauline taught at Beardsley School. After their daughter Margaret Elizabeth was born, they moved to Trumbull, where Pauline taught for 20 years. While she first taught at Jane Ryan and later at Center School, Pauline kept every class picture from every class she ever taught.

Yes, ever.

Pauline retired as an educator in 1979 but knew her work wasn’t finished. In 1981 Pauline opened Fox Flower Cart on East Main Street in Bridgeport, merging her love of meeting people with her love of nature. She believed in tending to her flowers with the same patience, love, and care that she invested in every friend she made, new and old alike.

In 1988 Pauline moved back to New Hampshire to build herself a house in the woods of Bethlehem, with the help of her brother, Jim. She named her home “Brigadoon.” As Pauline was a woman who not only saw life’s silver linings, but could fashion a quilt out of it, she unsurprisingly managed to garden in the “north country.”

In 1992 Pauline’s grandson Peter Fox Adamakos was born. She then moved to Milford, Conn. to be closer to her growing family. The frolicsome and inseparable duo of Peter and Pauline soon became a trio when her granddaughter Anastasia Pauline Adamakos was born. Unfailingly leading by example, Pauline instilled the importance of humor through hardship by always laughing with her whole body and loving with her whole heart. In 1997 Pauline moved back to Nunnawauk Meadows in Newtown, where she cared for her beloved fish, Freddy (as well as the deer, birds, and chipmunks that would often sit with her in her backyard). She hustled her friends and family in cards and won numerous square dancing awards with her dance partner, Hank.

While she was an avid bowler, winning many trophies and eventually touring with a Wii bowling team in her 80s—some of Pauline’s most important lessons come from cards and crafting. As for cards: while she believed in the necessity of keeping them close, the greater responsibility is to never take advantage of those whose cards are showing.

Apropos knitting and crafting: it’s more fun when made for someone else, and even more so with a glass of red wine.

Pauline was grateful for life and returned that gift by living each day how she wanted to. We were blessed to learn from Pauline during her inspiring and fearless 92 years, as she was a teacher by lifestyle, not by trade. Pauline — who flew a glider plane and road-tripped cross country with sister Irene on little fare and a lot of Winston cigarettes — was always strongwilled, sharp, and courageous. She remained so up to her last day. Her life-long devotion to God aided her transition to Heaven when she was ready to let go. Her spirit lives on in those who were lucky enough to know her.

She passed on April 16, 2020.

She is survived by her sister Irene Dickenson; her brother and sister-in-law Elwood “Jim” and Barbara Wright; her daughter and son-in-law Margaret and Charles Egan; her grandchildren Peter and Anastasia Adamakos; and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Pauline Marion (Wright) Fox, who always saw the best in people and enjoyed bagpipes and the simpler things in life, would encourage either a prayer, gesture of kindness, or a glass raised in her honor.