Pauline Pearl Soha

PAULINE PEARL (DERR) SOHA February 29, 1928 ~ February 18, 2018 Pauline Pearl (Derr) Soha was born on February 29, 1928, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and passed away at age 89 on February 18, 2018, in Vancouver, Washington. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Woods Derr and Evelyn Lucille (Ingle) Derr. Pauline graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 1945. She then attended Frank Wiggins Trade School in Los Angeles, California which is where she met her husband Clyde Soha. By day they would work to learn their future trade, and by night Clyde taught Pauline to dance. They were married on June 9, 1948, at the Roger Williams Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. Their wedding was attended by many friends and family from far and near. Pauline and Clyde moved to Vancouver, Washington, in 1948 to begin their married life together. In 1949 they started Soha Sign Company and took pride in their craftsmanship and artistry. Over the next 44 years, they worked with many businesses, small and large, in the Vancouver and Portland area. In 1993, they sold the business to Mike Starks, and he and his wife Sandy have moved the company into new levels of advertising excellence. During the early years of their marriage, in addition to running a business, Pauline and Clyde competed in Jitterbug dancing, West Coast Swing and ballroom dancing contests all along the west coast, including the Palladium in Hollywood, the Zenda Ballroom and the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. They also appeared in several TV shows, including The Red Skelton Show. Pauline loved giving back to the community and supported charitable causes whenever possible. For many years, she and Clyde also designed and worked on many floats for the City of Vancouver's participation in the Portland Rose Festival parade. Pauline enjoyed many memorable years with the Soha family at their beach cabin in Long Beach, Washington. They spent time clam digging, enjoying family, and eating fresh, homemade clam fritters for breakfast. Pauline and Clyde purchased a small boat and spent many evenings after work enjoying picnics, water skiing and floating on Lacamas Lake with their young daughter Carla, and friends and family. Pauline was a Member of Eastern Star in Vancouver. She and Clyde also loved to square dance and were members of several clubs in Washington and California. It was a family and friend's affair throughout the years. After many years of long days, weekends and hard work, Pauline finally had the opportunity to travel with family on many cruises and trips to Hawaii. She and Clyde also went to his Navy reunions for the U.S.S. Thatcher at many locations across the United States including Branson, Missouri, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Florida, California and Seattle. Pauline is survived by her husband of 69 years, Clyde; her daughter, Carla; her cousin, Gary Derr and his family; her cousin, Dena Derr and her husband, Tony Smith, daughter, Michelle Smith and granddaughter, Andrea Smith; her cousins, George and Sandy Sweeting, their children, David Sweeting and Stacey Bibelheimer, and their children, Zachary, Dylan, Hailey and Justin; and, many other friends and family members. Special thank-you to Cindy and Rob Tumlinson for always being there for support and for tending to Pauline's beauty needs. "Pauline the Lifeguard" sends a special thank you to the infamous summer swim group and the Bay Babes for all your tremendous support and love. Another special thank you to the Hudson's Bay family, staff and students, for their support and kind words. Also, a special thank you to Pauline's caregivers - Joan Smith and Lyndsey Howard, and the amazing Kaiser hospice team of nurses, doctors and social workers. You made a huge difference in the quality of life during her final months. We will always love and remember you Pauline. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, Washington. Memorial donations may be made to Hudson's Bay Foundation at www.HudsonsBayFoundation.org, or PO Box 61804, Vancouver, WA 98666. Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Pauline Pearl Soha

February 29, 1928 - February 18, 2018