Leesburg, FL – Pauline (Polly) Derusha Wallace, 86, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2023 at her residence surrounded by her loving children following a long battle with multiple myeloma. She was born March 19, 1937 in Newport, VT. The daughter of Harold Derusha and Rebecca Derusha Corrow. She graduated from Hartford High School in 1955 and Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Hanover, NH, in 1958. The majority of her nursing career was in dermatology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH. She remained close friends with several of her co-workers throughout the years.
On August 16, 1958, Leslie Wallace and Pauline Derusha were joined in marriage. Together they made their home in West Lebanon, NH, where they raised their family. While her children were young, she was actively involved with organizations such as Girls Scouts of the USA as a volunteer and Boy Scouts of America as a den mother. Pauline was member of the West Lebanon Congregational Church and was always willing to bake a pie for a church supper. She was admired for her beautiful hand knit sweaters and mittens, was an avid historical reader, and a genealogical research enthusiast.
In retirement, Pauline worked at The Christmas Loft in Quechee, VT, and she enjoyed collecting Byer’s Choice dolls, Department 56 villages, and Snow Babies (figurines). Polly and Les took great pleasure in traveling which included several cruises, a bus tour of Ireland and Scotland, and many miles in their motor home touring the US and Canada. In 2012, they moved to Florida to take advantage of the warmer weather and opportunities offered in retirement community living. She enjoyed listening to country music and attending local jams including Cat Fish Johnny’s Wednesday fish fry.
Pauline is predeceased by her loving husband, Leslie, of 58 years and survived by a son Scott Wallace (Lori), Roseville, CA; daughters Kelly Rivoli (James), Belleair Bluffs, FL and Judith Langhans (James), Windsor, VT; grandchildren Michelle Creutzberger (Peter), Cherry Hill, NJ; Danielle Romero (Patrick), Roseville, CA; Andrew Wallace (Galina), Fair Oaks, CA; Nicholas Langhans, Windsor, VT; great grandchildren Merritt and Laikynn Romero; a sister Carol Fifield (Dawson), The Villages, FL; and several nieces and a nephew. There will be no calling hours. It was Pauline’s wish that a graveside service for family members be held at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Sharon, VT. Pauline will be remembered as a loving wife and mother, devoted daughter and sister, and cherished friend.