Pauline “Polly’ W. Mooney, age 97, of 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, formerly of 13217 Leslie Rd., Meadville, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017, at Wesbury United Methodist Community Town Square.

Mrs. Mooney was the original Executive Director of Active Aging, Inc., where she worked from 1974-1995.

Pauline Mooney was born at home in Forest County, on September 22, 1919, a daughter of the late Frank and Estella (Witherow) Wolford.

On July 3, 1942 she married Merle A. Mooney; he preceded her in death on November 5, 1995.

A 1937 graduate of Hickory Twp. High School, she graduated from Warren Business College with an Associates Degree in 1939. From 1960-1974, she was employed by Allegheny College in Quigley Hall, where she worked in various departments and was a friend, cookie supplier, and secret term paper editor to numerous college students. While still working full time at Allegheny, and raising her two sons, she returned to college at age 44, graduating from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1972, the same year her son, Mike, graduated from the University of Illinois School of Law and her son, Tom, graduated from Ohio State University with a Masters degree in City Planning.

In 1974 she became the first Director of the Crawford County Office for the Aging (now known as Active Aging, Inc.). At that time the staff consisted of Pauline and one other person. Under her dedicated direction, the Agency expanded, eventually moving into a newly remodeled building on Park Avenue, where it remains today. Pauline retired in 1995, leaving behind the strong staff she had trained and mentored, and the successful programs she had initiated.

Over the years Pauline served on the Regional Board for the American Red Cross and on the Board of Directors of the former Quality Living Center. She was an active member of Kiwanis Club of Meadville, Rails to Trails (where the volunteers knew her as the “Cookie Lady,” for the thousands of chocolate chip cookies she made for them), and the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. For many years, she volunteered at the Crawford County Fair making fruit salad for sale at the Kiwanis booth. In 2000, Allegheny College and the Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce awarded her the Governor Raymond P. Shafer Award for Distinguished Community Service to the Meadville Area.

After she retired she spent her winters in Florida, where she volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce of Anna Maria Island, was a long time honorary member of the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island, and enjoyed walking on the beach. Her deep affection for the Island was passed on to her children and grandchildren, who vacationed with her there every chance they could.

She loved her family, her work, her garden, and Hank’s ice cream. As anyone who tasted her cookies, pancakes, or sweet rolls knows, she was a terrific cook as well. She inspired and taught those who knew her in many ways.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 53 years, Merle, Pauline was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Pauline is survived by two sons Mike (Barbara Cook) of Cincinnati, OH; and Tom of Morristown, NJ; five grandsons Zak (Emily) of Frederick, MD; Chris, Peter, both of Cincinnati, OH; Sean of New York, NY; and Evan of Portland, OR; two great grandsons Max and Sam, several nieces and nephews, and a wonderful array of admiring and loving friends. All will miss her greatly.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 2-4 PM at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE, where a Kiwanis Service will be held at 2:45 PM.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Unitarian Universalist Church, 346 Chestnut St., Meadville, with Rev. Robin L. Zucker, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will take place in Mt. Tabor Cemetery, Eldred Twp. with family only.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, The Duke Ellington Bldg. 2121 Ward Ct, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20037 or The Meadville Public Library, 848 N. Main Street., Meadville, PA 16335.

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