MRS. PAULINE FRANCIS NIWA of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Dr. Jerome ""Jerry"" Niwa, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at St. Michael's Palliative Care Centre on Monday, September 6, 2010 at the age of 69 years.

Pauline was born in Atwood, Ontario on March 15, 1941 and raised in Listowel, Ontario. She met Jerry in Guelph, while completing her studies as a Registered Nurse at the Guelph General Hospital. After graduation, they married in Ontario and moved to Lethbridge to start Jerry's practice. Pauline worked as a nurse at St. Michael's Hospital, and shortly thereafter they began their family.

Pauline was an active mom; involved in her kids' activities, including hockey with her son, and Brown Owl for her daughters' Brownie group. She was a ""mom taxi"", always there for her children's many pursuits. She returned to work at the Edith Cavell Nursing Home in 1988, working there for nine years. In addition to her family and work, Pauline loved to read, watch tv, listen to music, participate in aqua-jog, knit, sew, bake, and cook. She was an avid gardener, loved her pets, and was an enthusiastic Toronto Blue Jays fan, following in the footsteps of her mother.

Pauline is survived by her daughters, Kris Niwa of Calgary and Janette Niwa of Ottawa; her son Jeff (Dawn) Niwa and grandsons, Alexander and Carter of Lethbridge; and her sisters, Wenda (Stan) Berfelz and Gloria (Mike) Johnson, both of Ontario. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dale (Lucienne) Niwa, her sisters-in-law; Isabelle (George) Doupe, and Katharine (Bill) Borgen; sister-in-law Bev Niwa; and brother-in-law Al Bigelow along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Jerry, her infant daughter Marie Colette, her parents Palma and Frank Gordon, her mother and father in-law Katherine and Louis Niwa, and Jerome's siblings; Bert Niwa, Jim Niwa, and Marjorie Bigelow.

A Gathering of Family and Friends in Pauline's Memory will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A private family interment will be held at Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pauline's memory may be made to the Lethbridge and District Humane Society, P.O. Box 783, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z6.