June 25, 1928 ~ Jan. 26, 2017
Pauline Connolly-Bendure, Family matriarch, homemaker and former Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau employee passed away at her home in Carson City, NV surrounded by family Thursday, January 26th, 2017, she was 88.
Pauline was born June 25th,1928 in Driggs, ID to Elsie and Donald Eddington. She spent her earliest years in Anaconda, MT where she met Walter Connolly. They were married in 1948 and spent the following 22 years raising a family of
six children. Walter’s career in gaming led the family to Pleasant Valley, Reno, Las Vegas and eventually Carson City. Walter passed away tragically in a car accident in 1970.
Several years later, Ted Bendure became an important part of Pauline’s life. Pauline and Ted were married in 1979. Ted had three children from a previous marriage and several grandchildren, whom Pauline welcomed into her family.
Pauline spent her life caring for others. She was extraordinarily family oriented and felt tremendous responsibility for her children, grandchildren, siblings and parents. As the size of her family grew, so too did her sense of purpose and joy. She relished her role as the matriarch of a group of people she loved unconditionally, earning her the nickname “queenie” amongst her siblings. Her dedication and sense of duty to those she deeply cared for through to those whose acquaintance she had just made, further reinforced that image.
Pauline was generous, unselfish, observant, and always tried to be her best self. As a result, she carried herself with a sense of integrity, dignity, stoicism and class that were the hallmarks of an earlier era, even as they fell out of fashion- whether she was in the well of the senate, out to a fancy dinner, seeing her dentist or simply running to the grocery store, she dressed in a way that communicated respect for those around her and commanded it for herself.
Pauline met life’s hardships without complaint and an unusually calm demeanor, buoyed by the strength of her character. She will be greatly missed.
Pauline was preceded in death by her husband Walther Connolly; husband Ted Bendure; son Michael; and siblings Evelyn, Beverly and Bruce.
Pauline is survived by her siblings, Janiece, Byron, Sharon, Jerry and RaeAnn; children, Bonnie, Patrick John, Colleen, Lori and Kelly (Lisa); grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held February 25th at 11:00am at the Toiyabe Golf Club, 19 Lightning W. Ranch Rd., Washoe Valley, NV 89704
