Cousin Pauleen Hamilton Flores
"Touch Your Nose and Think of Her"
Her laugh would land before the punchline came,
She'd itch her nose and take the playful blame,
And laughed the hardest at her own refrain.
She set your nails and set your whole heart right,
Her crafting hands could fill a room with cheer,
She made you feel like some might want you near,
And talked with you from morning into night.
No judgment crossed her face when you came home,
Her love was wide enough for every flaw,
She gave you more than you thought love could draw,
And made sure no one ever felt alone.
She burned so bright we still recall her flame,
And carry her forever in her name.
"Still Catching Fire"
She never turned you away or shut the door,
Her arms were open wide without a cause,
She loved you past your edges and your flaws,
And made you feel like you were worth much more.
She shaped your nails and loved you by the hour,
Her hands a way of saying you belong,
She poured herself in making others strong,
And left each one unfolding like a flower.
She warmed the heart of everyone she knew,
Her spark still catching fire in me and you.
"A Firecracker in Full Bloom"
A firecracker girl with laughing eyes,
Who picked the daisies under open skies
And swung until the world forgot its needs.
She loved her children with unguarded arms,
No judgment held, no door was ever barred,
She argued, laughed, and kept no lasting guard,
And filled the craft room up with homespun charms.
Her chair a place where laughter found its rest,
She touched the lives of those she knew the best
And left each one unfolding like a flower.
Her spark still woven through us like a thread.
Pauleen, affectionately known by nicknames such as Polly, Pusgie, and GG, was a woman described as a "little firecracker" who possessed a spirit full of humor, warmth, and a generous heart. She was defined by her infectious laughter—often laughing at herself or her own mischief before anyone else could—and her ability to make others feel they belonged.
Her life was woven together by several key pillars:
The "Therapy" of Her Work and Crafts
Pauleen spent over 20 years as a nail technician, building deep relationships where her appointments often doubled as "therapy sessions" for her clients. Notably, she did nails for the cast of Touched by an Angel while it was filmed in Utah, becoming close friends with Roma Downey and Della Reese.
Outside of work, she was a dedicated creator of wood crafts and holiday crochet pieces. Her craft room was more than just a workspace; it was a place of healing and ritual, especially during the weekends she spent crafting alongside her close friend and sister figure, Jenny.
Unconditional Love and Motherhood
As a mother, Pauleen was devoted and non-judgmental, offering open arms even after periods of estrangement. She supported her children regardless of whether she agreed with their choices, ensuring no one ever felt alone. Her love was described as "wide enough for every flaw," and she was known for listening "hour by hour" to those who needed her.
Lifelong Bonds and Childhood Memories
Pauleen shared a profound, sister-like bond with her aunt, Jenny. Their history stretched back to a childhood in Oregon, where they spent summers catching snakes and salamanders, picking daisies, and swinging by the pond. As adults, they shared late-night drives and watched the 24th of July parade together, maintaining a relationship where they could "argue like kids" and be laughing about it minutes later.
Signature Quirks
She was known for a specific, playful quirk: touching or itching your own nose would drive her crazy because it made her own nose itch. She also had a habit of moving things while crafting, denying she had done so, and then bursting into laughter once she remembered.
Pauleen’s unexpected passing has left a profound void, but she is remembered as a woman who "left each one unfolding like a flower" through her boundless heart and enduring spark.
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