Pauline C. Freese Thomas, 88, of Old Forge and formerly of Rochester, died on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at the Sunset Nursing Home in Boonville.
She was born on Novem-ber 30, 1923, in Marianna, PA, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Zedar Kotchar.
After graduating from high school, Pauline moved to Detroit and worked for Boeing during WWII.
While at Boeing she worked as riveter and helped build the B-17 Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress. She was later transferred to the Boeing plant in California.
She then moved to Rochester and worked as a hairdresser and later worked for a computer company that manufactured integrated circuits.
Pauline married Raymond J. Thomas in 1962 in Erie, PA and in 2005, Pauline and Ray moved to Old Forge to be closer to her son Phil. Ray died on February 4, 2008.
She is survived by her son, Phil Freese and his wife, Sue of Old Forge; stepdaughters, Donna Thomas, of Rochester, Pamela Thomas and her husband, Bob Spellman of Rochester; stepsons, David A. Thomas and his wife, Nancy of Fredericksburg, VA, Larry M. Thomas and his wife, Susan of Webster; five grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Kotchar of Old Forge and Rosalia Soloski and her husband, William of Beaver, PA; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is also survived by her special beloved canine companion, Tassy. She was predeceased by a sister, Frances Dormo and a brother, Frank Kotchar.
The family would like to thank HASCA, the Old Forge Ambulance and the staff at the Sunset Nursing Home for all the special care and compassion given to Pauline.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home of Old Forge.
