Cousin Pauleen Hamilton Flores

"Touch Your Nose and Think of Her"

She had a spark that no one could contain, 
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 would talk for hours, never lost for words, 

Her laugh would fill the room before she spoke, 

A fire in her that no one ever broke, 

Who'd pick the daisies free as summer birds.

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"

One summer spent together in the reeds, 
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.

She held your hand and listened hour by hour, 
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.

She loved completely, laughed until it spread, 
Her spark still woven through us like a thread.

These poems where made from facebook posts and text messages that allowed me to pull out the key items that came across all of these messages.

Who Pauleen Was as a Person

• A "little firecracker" with sharp edges but a generous, loving heart

• Full of spirit, humor, and warmth

• Creative and crafty (wood crafts, crochet holiday hand towels, seasonal pieces)

• Known for her infectious laughter, especially at herself

• A storyteller who loved sharing memories of her childhood

• She would laugh first when caught in her own mischief

• her favorite color was white and her favorite flower was lilac.

Nicknames

• Polly / Polly Anna / Pusgie / Pugslee / GG (great-grandma figure to some)

Her Signature Quirk

• Touching or itching your nose made her nose itch and drove her crazy

• She would move things while crafting, deny it, then burst out laughing when she remembered she had done it

Her Craft Life

• Wood crafts for all holidays and seasons, made alongside Jenny

• Crochet holiday hand towels for herself and Jenny

• The craft room was more therapy than crafting some days

Her Work as a Nail Tech

• 20+ year relationships with many clients who became genuine friends

• "Therapy sessions" disguised as nail appointments

• Did nails for the cast of Touched by an Angel, filmed in Utah

• Became close with Roma Downey (Delarice) and Della Reese, who wanted to be Maricela's godmother

Her Bond with Jenny (Aunt Jenny)

• More than a niece, more than friends, sisters in every real sense

• Childhood trip to Oregon: catching snakes and salamanders, picking daisies, swinging at the pond (Jenny was 10, Pauleen was 7)

• As adults: late night drives, watching the 24th of July parade with kids along the route

• They argued like kids, then laughed about it minutes later

• Weekend crafting together was a cherished, regular ritual

Her Role as a Mother

• Devoted, unconditional, non-judgmental

• Open arms even after estrangement, no questions asked

• She provided everything she could

• Supported her children even when she disagreed

Recurring Images and Themes Across the Messages

• Laughter as a constant presence in her life

• Long conversations (hours on the phone, hours at the salon)

• Ordinary moments made meaningful: drives, parades, nail chairs, craft tables

• She showed up for people, consistently

• A joyous reunion with her mother (Colleen) is referenced

The Loss

• Unexpected, at home

• Left a profound void in many lives simultaneously