Martyn Family History

Scott H. Martyn
Glen Ellyn, IL  60137
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Pauline Margaret SHEEHAN
(1929-2026)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:
1. Edward Thomas LACEY

Pauline Margaret SHEEHAN

  • Born: 24 December 1929
  • Marriage (1): Edward Thomas LACEY on 14 February 1953 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, United States
  • Died: 26 February 2026, De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States at age 96
  • Buried: 7 March 2026, De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States

   FamilySearch ID: LYN4-WFP
Find A Grave ID: 260027056

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Pauline was an occupant at the residence of Edward Thomas LACEY in 2021 in De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States: 2327 Southern Pines PL.
(2327 Southern Pines PL, De Land, Florida 32724-7915, United States.)
(2327 Southern Pines PL, De Land, Florida 32724-7915, United States.) This event was shared from Edward Thomas LACEY who also shared it with Pauline Margaret SHEEHAN (1929-2026).

2. Her obituary was published on 2 March 2026 in De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States.
Pauline Margaret Sheehan Lacey was born on Christmas Eve in 1929, a date she had very strong opinions about for most of her life. An Irish Catholic woman by way of Canada, Pauline was many things: a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, champion worrier, and a woman who never lacked an opinion\emdash or the confidence to share it.

She was the middle child of Emmet and Pauline Sheehan, and for many years she made it very clear that sharing a birthday with Christmas was simply unacceptable. A well-intentioned "Happy Birthday" could derail an entire day. Eventually, the family wisely adopted "Happy Special Day," which kept everyone safe and smiling. After turning 90, she finally softened, allowing "Happy Birthday Mom" to return\emdash no injuries to body or spirit required.

Pauline married the love of her life, Edward Lacey, on Valentine's Day in 1953. With Ed just home from serving in Korea and Lent fast approaching, there was no time to waste. With help from Ed's mother, plans came together quickly, and the couple honeymooned in Chicago. Their marriage was filled with passion, laughter, and devotion, and together they went on to raise nine children\emdash a testament to both their love and Pauline's boundless energy.

A spirited redhead for most of her life, Pauline was instantly recognizable. After her 92nd birthday, she made the bold decision to stop cutting or coloring her hair, growing it longer than ever before. She loved it and thought it was beautiful. Not everyone agreed\emdash but Pauline rarely let that stop her.

Pauline spent most of her life in Michigan, including many years in Flint. Their first child arrived in October 1954, and from that moment on, being "Mom" became her proudest role. She made life fun, exciting, and never dull. Her sense of humor was legendary. If you complained of a stomachache, she might offer to "cut it out," a cure that somehow worked every time.

She had a true gift for making food stretch. Extended family still marvel at how she could produce peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at lightning speed, laying them out like a card dealer while they vanished just as quickly. Though she often claimed she wasn't a great cook, every night meant a family dinner. She was always the last to sit down\emdash and likely didn't enjoy a hot meal at home for about 16 years\emdash but she never missed a beat. Fiercely loyal, endlessly devoted, and if worrying were an Olympic sport, Pauline would have taken gold.

As a grandmother, Pauline truly shined. Known to all as the world's best Grandma, she delighted in her 22 grandchildren and later 12 great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Her golf cart adventures\emdash where speed limits and safety regulations were more suggestion than law\emdash were legendary and laughter echoed across her property. She made it to countless milestones: sacraments, graduations, weddings, and celebrations, always leaving memories and stories behind. Babies, especially, had a special place in her arms and heart.

Pauline was also a devoted wife to Ed, whom she adored. A successful businessman, Ed often credited Pauline as the secret to his success\emdash after all, with nine children, failure simply wasn't an option. Pauline worked tirelessly behind the scenes, proudly referring to him as "Ed Lacey" to make sure everyone knew the name. Their love story lasted until 2021, when Ed passed away.

Even in her later years, Pauline's fiery spirit remained strong. Dementia may have complicated life, but it never fully dimmed her will. She continued to do things her way, right to the end\emdash just as she always had.

Pauline passed away on February 26, 2026. She was preceded in death by a lot of people including her husband Edward and son Thomas. She is survived by 8 of her 9 children: Mary-Jo Lacey, Pat (Tammy) Lacey, Mike Lacey, Teresa(Jerry) Givens, Libby (Mike) Boylan, Paula (John) Tabar, Matt (Katy) Lacey, Peggi (Michael) Kaley and her beloved daughter in law Nancy Lacey and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews, sister in laws Margaret (John) Mahoney and Marie Knight. Pauline Margaret Sheehan Lacey will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever deeply loved.

The family will greet friends on Friday, March 6 at Lankford Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2025 at St. Peter Catholic Church in DeLand beginning with a eulogy by the family at 10:00am.


Pauline married Edward Thomas LACEY, son of Laurence William LACEY and Margaret Elizabeth ABBOTT, on 14 February 1953 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, United States. (Edward Thomas LACEY was born on 9 August 1929, died on 8 February 2021 in De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States and was buried on 20 February 2021 in De Land, Volusia, Florida, United States.)