Pauline M. P. Alward Spatz
1924 - 2016
Pauline M. P. Alward Spatz
Visitation Information
Visitation Location
No Visiting Hours
Service Information
Service Date
Friday July 22, 2016
Service Time
2 pm
Service Location
Mount Allison University Chapel
Burial Information
Burial Location
Westcock Cemetery
Requested Charity
Alzheimer Society
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Pauline Mary Pearl Alward Spatz, age 91, of Sackville, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, with family by her side.

The closing of a life well lived comes from being born the only child of John and Mable (Wry) Alward on November 14, 1924.  Pauline was born at Mrs. Phinney’s Maternity Home on Queens Road, delivered by Dr. Secord.  She grew up in Wood Point and attended a one-room school house.  When the time came to attend high school, she was privately tutored for 1 hour after school in Wood Point each week.  She wrote her exams at Sackville High School.  She was one of those students fortunate to receive her education for Grade 10 by Correspondence.  This was the first year such a program was offered by the Province of New Brunswick.  She proudly attended High School in Sackville in Grade 11 and graduated in 1942.  She entered Nurses Training at Moncton Hospital in January 1944, graduating in 1947.  She was in the last class with Miss A. J. MacMaster as Director of Nurses.  She led the Province of New Brunswick with her marks on her Registered Nurses exams.

Following graduation, Pauline worked as a General Duty Nurse at the Moncton Hospital Operation Room, saving her salary to take post-graduate studies at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.  After completion she returned to Moncton Hospital as Supervisor of the Operating Room for three years.  The pressures and responsibilities of being a nurse became increasingly strenuous and she was advised by Dr. Charles L. Gass to take some time to restore her energy.  She was always keenly aware of the necessity and privilege of education.  She audited various courses at Mount Allison University.  She was granted permission by understanding Deans of Art, Dr. Herbert Tucker and Dr. Charles Baxter, who became her mentors in life values.

Pauline was Campus Nurse at Mount Allison University and also worked at the Sackville Memorial Hospital.  She was accepted as an Evening Supervisor at a private psychiatric hospital in Long Island, N.Y.  This was a valuable opportunity to expand her nursing skills.  It was also the turning point in her life, where she met Dr. Albert Spatz, whose love led to marriage and a very fulfilling life. 

Most of their married professional life was lived in Buffalo, N.Y. where Dr. Spatz was psychiatrist at the Buffalo State Hospital.  These years in Buffalo provided great opportunities for Pauline to enhance her education in art.  Albert provided a Life Membership in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and she studied to become a Docent, one of the many rich experiences of her life.  Each week she volunteered to take a group of school children on tours through the Gallery - a great opportunity to return to the community some of the rare benefits she had received.  For many years, Pauline and Albert also joined a group of Albright-Knox members on several Art Tours abroad, meeting renowned artists, visiting their studios, and visiting major museums.  Having dinner with Peggy Guggenheim at her Palazzo in Venice was one of several unique events. 

After many years in Buffalo, Albert retired.  The Spatzes returned to Sackville to live in the house Pauline’s grandfather, Willard Wry had built for his Spinster sisters, Mary and Mathilda.  Pauline quickly became involved in community projects: Owens Art Gallery, Sackville Memorial Hospital and other worthwhile causes.  She was instrumental in founding the Friends of Owens Art Gallery and having John McEwen, a prominent Canadian artist, execute an outdoor sculpture in celebration of the centenary of the Gallery in 1995.  Shortly after returning to Sackville, Albert provided Pauline with a Life Membership in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Pauline’s other dedication was to the preservation of the Sackville Memorial Hospital in the community.  She was a board member of the Hospital Foundation for nine years and has been a member of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary since 1972.  The Sackville community has such rich and diversified opportunities for growth and development, which provided Pauline the privilege of helping all generations in countless ways.

In the early 1990’s Albert’s health began to show signs of great concern.  With Pauline’s tender loving care he was able to remain at home until March 1997.  He was admitted to the Drew Nursing Home to be cared for in his final year as a patient with Alzheimer Disease.  Pauline’s personal experience with this serious illness gave her the courage and insight after Albert’s death to honour his memory and provide help for others.  She established an endowment in research of Alzheimer Disease in Albert’s memory.  Since 1999, she has sponsored students doing doctoral research, creating the Doctor and Mrs. Albert Spatz Doctoral Award.

One of the great joys of her later years was seeing the fulfillment of many dreams culminate in the opening of the Boultenhouse Heritage Centre in September 2006.  Her Wry ancestors have been honoured by her gifts to the collection and a room so named for this collection. 

Life is a journey and each day a gift to be cherished.  The joys and sorrows of our lives provide the fabric of each life.  God has given us an abundance of resources to make the journey an individual treasure.  Pauline appreciated her family, friends and co-workers.  She was grateful for living in this community and in this wonderful country of Canada.  The motto from her graduation class at the Moncton Hospital of Nursing guided her throughout her life: "To live and help others to live, to grow and to grow better." 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., Sackville, NB (506-364-1300).  A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mount Allison University Chapel, Rev. Wayne McCarther officiating on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 2 pm.  All will gather at Owen’s Art Gallery immediately following the service to continue her remembrance.  Burial will take place in the Westcock Cemetery. 

If so desired, donations in Pauline’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society, or to one of the many charities she so strongly supported

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Pauline’s online memorial through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook Page or at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca

Pauline M. P. Alward Spatz