In loving memory of

Joan "Pauline" Niven
August 23, 1929 - December 8, 2020

Mrs. J. Pauline Niven died peacefully in her sleep with her son at her side on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 in Rochester, MN.

Pauline was born in the small town of Millom, Cumbria in northern England on August 23, 1929. A school teacher by training, she always delighted in telling stories of her early career travels to Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Kenya, Hong Kong and Switzerland. She married her husband, Alexander C. Niven PhD, and settled in Warson Woods, MO where she spent most of the remainder of her adult life. She served in the Kirkwood Public School District, and finished her career teaching French at Visitation Academy.

Her friends and family knew Pauline as a proper British gentlewoman, who charmed everyone she met with her accent, manners, and conversation skills. She excelled on the tennis court, and her garden was her passion. Pauline prided herself for remaining the picture of health for many years, and was known for the long brisk daily walks that she continued until the last year of her life. She was fiercely independent, always busy, and never hesitated to speak her mind.

Pauline leaves behind her son Alexander, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. She died from complications of COVID-19, and is finally at peace after a 5 year struggle with dementia. She will be buried with her husband in her ancestral family plot at Thwaites Church in Millom after the pandemic subsides.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Niven family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

Tributes

Judy Griffith wrote on Dec 21, 2020:

"Pauline was indeed a British Lady through and through. She dearly loved her son more than anything. Many times we sat in her deck drinking hot tea on a hot day sometimes after a hot tennis match! Her garden was her peaceful place where she loved to gaze out at the many plants she nourished from seedlings. The rock borders were created by rocks she sourced from the nearby creek. I hope her grandchildren will hear stories of her adventures and courage. Judy Griffith"

Carol Costigan wrote on Dec 13, 2020:

"Alexander, this is a beautiful picture of your Mother. This is how I remember her. She never told me her first name was Joan. I will truly miss her. She was such a good friend. We met while both of us were teaching at Viz and always ate lunch together. She was so proud of you Fondly Carol"