Obituary: Pauline Roth, 87, of Guilford

Obituary submitted by the family:

Pauline Roth, 87, passed away after complications from a minor stroke on December 3rd. Pauline
was fiercely independent and strong-willed, living out her final journey with dignity and grace.
Pauline raised 5 children as a single parent. She moved through many barriers and fought countless battles in the 60s and 70s. She was an avid reader, she was witty, and she loved chocolate-not wanting to look back when she died thinking she missed an opportunity to eat more. She was compassionate and supported local families experiencing homelessness- buying hundreds of pairs of shoes for school kids over the years, along with camping supplies and school uniforms. She gave people in military uniforms cash to demonstrate her support and cover a good lunch, and supported local cat rescue, public TV, and Fair Haven Community Health Care, among other things.

Pauline loved Guilford and took civic responsibility very seriously-voting by absentee ballot in the local elections one month before she died. Her sense of justice and equity remained strong until her final day-delivering a passionate videotaped message for family and friends 10 days before she passed. In the video, Pauline details how because abortion was illegal in the late 60s, she was forced to carry a dead baby for months until she went into labor. She marveled at the cruelty of the laws that would allow for this type of barbarism, and adamantly believed that women deserved autonomy and choice.

In her final hours, when her brain was scrambled and thoughts were unclear, Pauline could clearly state Joe Biden is the current president and Trump was the worst president ever. Pauline’s final selfless act was to donate her body to Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University,
where she can continue to teach and contribute to the betterment of others.

Pauline was predeceased by her amazing husband, Dr. Stanley Roth, and 3 sisters. She is survived by her sister and her husband Elaine and Robert Blair and two brothers William and Robert Maillet. She leaves 5 children and their spouses- Jay and Sue Nich, Bob Nich, Toni and Jeff Boyd, Cory Nich and Charla Nich, 5 grandchildren and their spouses- Jason and Sara Nich, Michael and Terri Nich, Ariana and Alex Childress, and Javier Lopez, 1 great grandchild- Whelan Nich, and her beloved cat Eroica. Her friends Karina and Larry Danvers and Mervis Owens helped her celebrate her final chapter, and Cleo Green provided a perfect cocktail of care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, Pauline’s family is requesting donations in her honor to Fair Haven Community
Health Care, where a fund has been created to support mothers in need so they can provide for their infants and young children from the very start. This includes Healthy Start, Mindfulness Classes, post-partum support groups and other programs. Donations can be made online
bit.ly/FHCHCPaulineRoth or directly through FHCHC.ORG.