Pauline M. George

Pauline George, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a longtime resident of South Plainfield, N.J., and West Palm Beach, Fla., passed away Jan. 2 after contracting covid-19. She was 92.

Pauline Marie Boulus was born on Dec. 7, 1928, to Azeez and Lydia Boulus, who had immigrated to the United States from Palestine. Pauline grew up on Long Island and graduated from West Hempstead High School. According to the stories she proudly told her children and grandchildren years later, Pauline as a young woman told her father she would not accept the tradition of an arranged marriage.

She met Fred George after he returned to the United States following his service as a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II. They married April 24, 1949, and soon settled in South Plainfield, N.J.

Pauline was the proud mother of five and an active member of the community. She and Fred organized dances for teenagers through South Plainfield’s recreation commission, and she created a Twins Mothers Club. She was a member of the Eastern Stars for 50 years. When her children had grown, she sold products for Avon and rose to the position of district manager.

Pauline loved to cook and took pride in hosting friends and family, always ensuring everyone was well-fed. She especially enjoyed cooking for her kids and grandkids and teaching them to cook Palestinian dishes such as sheikh-el-mahshi and spinach pies. Her stuffed grape leaves were a favorite among her grandkids, who knew her as their loving “Tata.” She was also known to reminisce about family history and connections to Ramallah and “the old country.”

She will always be remembered for her signature sayings (especially “’Tis what it ’tis” and “Happiness is …”), for her big smile, and for being quick and forthcoming in saying “I love you.”

Pauline is predeceased by her husband Fred George, son Jawad George, daughter Judy Reilly, grandson Jerry George Jr., brothers Paul and Norman Boulus, and sister Betty Jane Boulus.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Carolann George of Readington, N.J., Jack and Patti George of Readington, N.J., and Jeff and Joan George of Warren, N.J.; son-in-law Dennis Reilly of South Plainfield, N.J.; brother Eddie Boulus of Long Island, N.Y.; sister Helen Cooper of Augusta, Ga.; 11 grandchildren, Chris George, Carrie Reilly, Lauren Lukacs, Jason George, Randy George, Meghan Erdmann, Kristen Savitsky, Cory George, Jenna Peres, Caitlin George and Jeff George Jr.; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be arranged at a later time when it is safe for family and friends to gather in her honor. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which Pauline long supported.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.