Hartford Obituary: Pauline McGhee, 90

Pauline McGhee, 90, of Hartford, beloved wife for 70 years of John T. McGhee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2016, in Windsor.

Born in Farmersville, AL on August 2, 1926, daughter of the late Lee Olis Rivers and Julia Lyman, she was raised in Fostoria, AL and had lived in Birmingham, AL before moving to Hartford with her family in 1964. After raising her children, Pauline worked as a cook at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Day Care until her retirement.

Pauline was a member of the Old Ship of Zion Baptist Church and the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church before joining Hopewell Baptist Church in Windsor. Over the years, Pauline sang in the choir and was often featured as a soloist. She also served as a Deaconess and as a Missionary. Most of all, Pauline will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who loved to cook and care for her family and friends.

Besides her husband, whom she celebrated 70 years of marriage with just a month before her passing, she leaves four sons, Eddie Rivers and his wife Linda, Frank McGhee, Rogers McGhee, and John Lee McGhee all of Hartford; two daughters, Johnnie McGhee of Hartford and Julia Nell McConnell and her husband Walter of Shreveport, LA; eight grandchildren, Dwayne Rivers, Sr. and his wife Loretta of New Britain, Veronica Taylor of Timmonsville, SC, Benjamin Rivers, Danielle Rivers, Keevis McGhee, Cedric Dion Rivers, KeAndre McGhee, and Kaitrina McGee all of Hartford; 17 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; her spiritual children, Richard and Margaret Allen of Hartford; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by a daughter, Catha Rivers; and a brother.

Her family will receive friends on Monday, September 12, 10-11 a.m., followed by a Homegoing service at 11 a.m., at the Hopewell Baptist Church, 280 Windsor Ave., Windsor. Burial will follow in the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Ln., Middletown.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 1463 Highland Ave., Cheshire, CT 06410.