PAVELIN, Margaret (Dolly)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ November 23, 2007 This world lost a shining light on Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, when Margaret "Dolly" Pavelin, 94, left her longtime home at the White Mountain Country Club in Pinetop to join Tom, her beloved husband in heaven. Separated by death for only a week, they are again holding hands and laughing at the shared memories of 68 years together. A dedicated and gifted teacher who lovingly nurtured the minds of her students for 40 years, Dolly was born in Globe Nov. 4, 1913. With a love of learning that enriched her entire life, she received a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and later received her master's degree from Arizona State University. After college, she began teaching in Globe where she taught both elementary and high school. It was there she met Tom Pavelin, the love of her life and a fellow teacher. They were married June 7, 1939, and were later blessed with three children, Thomas Allison Pavelin, Marjorie Ann and Pamela. After finishing their master's degrees, the family moved to McNary where Dolly was a valued English high school teacher who, over the years, taught more than one generation in some of her students' families. Dolly was a witty and intelligent woman with an unquenchable zest for life. She loved her friends, reading good books, playing bridge and golf. But she found her greatest joy in her family. She is survived by her daughters, Marjorie Smith and Pamela Wood; grandchildren Matti Dwyer, Gina Aller, Rex Gillespie, Shawnah Wilcock, Brian Smith and Audra Bailey; and 15 great-grandchildren. Her passing leaves a vast hole in all their hearts. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Owens Mortuary, 320 North 9th in Show Low. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to RTA Hospice, 1789 W. Commerce Drive, Lakeside, AZ 85929.