Obituary of Pauline Mae Himmelman-Richard

Family and friends are very saddened to hear of the death of Pauline Mae (Bolivar) Himmelman-Richard, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at her granddaughter’s home.

Pauline was the daughter of the late Emmanuel and Elsie (Stewart) Bolivar. Born May 26, 1930, at Hebbville, and later living in Conquerall Mills.

Pauline’s first job was as a clerk at the South End Grocery Store. She married Stedman Harold Himmelman, June 10, 1949, then moving to Pleasantville. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Mary Ann (Frank) Guest, Bonnie Lee (Terry) Wambolt, Betty Lou (Yvon) Himmelman.

In her early years, Pauline enjoyed working at home growing vegetables and strawberries to sell. She also sold Avon and worked at Oliver’s Store and Gas Station. Pauline was an active member in the Ascension Lutheran Church, Conquerall Mills until 2018 when she transferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bridgewater. She was an organist in Conquerall Mills for 40 years as well as church treasurer. She also played organ at Camperdown, Middlewood and St. James Anglican Church in Conquerall Mills, for many years. Pauline was chairperson of parish council for the Conquerall Lutheran Parish for many years.

In 1973 Pauline ran for Municipal Council for the District of Lunenburg. She won, being the first lady councilor in the county. She was on council for 21 years, 15 of those years she was Deputy Warden. She also served on the Hillside Pines Board for 10 years when the nursing facility was being built. She was chairperson of the school board when Park View Education Centre was built; she was a member of the Dawson Memorial Hospital foundation when the new South Shore Regional Hospital was being built. She worked with Family and Children Services for at least 20 years and chair of the Lunenburg County Partnership for Family and Youth Services for the past 20 years. She loved helping youth in many ways. Pauline was one of the first members of establishing the United Way. She also supported families through World Vision. Pauline was one of the first members for many years of the Pleasantville Fire Department with her husband Stedman. She also volunteered with the Salvation Army at Christmas time. Pauline loved playing 45’s, going for drives for ice-cream, sitting on the hammock counting cars, and being in her gardens.

She leaves to mourn her daughters, Bonnie Lee (Terry), Betty Lou (Yvonne); and son-in-law, Frank; grandchildren, Jonathan, Amanda (Owen), Jeremy (Kari), Josh, Hannah (Scott), Ashley and Adam; great grandchildren, Skye, Keegan, Noah and Jessica; niece, Valerie (Kevin).

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Stedman; second husband, Arnold; brothers, Alvin and Stanley; daughter, Mary Ann.

Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Salvation Army, World Vision or a charity of choice.

The family would like to thank the South Shore Palliative Care team and the Lunenburg County VON for their care given to Pauline.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York Street, Bridgewater. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Ascension Lutheran Church, Conquerall Mills with Rev. Willis Ott officiating. Flowers welcome, and donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ascension Lutheran Church, the Salvation Army, World Vision or a charity of choice. On-line condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.