Pauline Pilkington (Long)

January 7, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother Pauline on January 7th, 2023.
Born in Alberta, she was the fourth in line of six children belonging to Percy and Ada Long. In 1941 the family moved to Courtenay, B.C. It was there they settled and planted roots on 21st Street.
At the young age of 7, Pauline was enrolled in gymnastics. From that point on sports played an active role in her life.
As a teenager, Pauline worked at "Hobbies" diner on 5th Street. It was there she met her sweetheart, Barry Pilkington. They were married in November of 1956, and when Barry got a job at Elk Falls Mill a few months later. The young couple soon moved to Campbell River.
They started out on Dahl Rd., where they began raising their family. In 1965, they moved to Shelter Bay where Barry and Pauline resided for 25 years.
Pauline, not one to sit still for long, wore many hats, each intertwined with the other.
She was a wife, mother of 2 children, and a volunteer gymnastics instructor for the C.R. Athletics Assoc. at Willow Point Hall. Later, she also became the head coach for the C.R. Gymnastics Club.
Once her two children were in school, Pauline returned to the workforce. In 1969 she was hired by S.D. #72 as a part-time secretary/receptionist/teacher's aide at Evergreen School. There she would also take any opportunity she had to help the P.E. teachers with school sports. She remained at Evergreen for 5 years and then moved to Rockland School where she remained for another 17 years. Eventually moving on to Phoenix Jr., and a couple of others; her final assignment was at Timberline where she retired in 2000, after 32 years of service with S.D. #72.
During the summer months beginning in 1968, for about 5 years, Pauline took on the role of supervisor/head lifeguard at the Centennial Pool. She was also Charge Officer and Examiner representing the Royal Life Saving Society. Due to her community volunteering and sporting activities, she was awarded C.R.'s first-ever Sports Citizen of the Year in 1971.
Shooting as a sport was an afterthought, she'd say. Starting out, she saw it as a way to spend more time with her husband. Soon she found herself shooting, scoring, and instructing young gun enthusiasts in gun safety and marksmanship. Her role as an official scorekeeper in the club opened new doors. Pauline volunteered locally for several years. Then in 1973 while judging at the Summer Games in Burnaby, she was approached by the Canadian Shooting Federation of Canada and asked if she'd be interested in becoming an International Judge. She accepted, and began extensive training in Mexico City and Switzerland, with the aim of becoming a judge at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
Pauline's work during several National and International events eventually led to her being recommended as a judge with an "A" License in 1981, As a result, she was certified to judge at the Olympics and other World Events. Mom felt honoured to be representing her country alongside many Canadian competitors, including several of our very own Campbell Riverite Shooters.
Pauline didn't stop there. She was a founding member of the I.S.U. Women's Committee, which was formed to improve shooting competitions for women. She was proud to have played a part in the creation of 3 shooting events for women at the 1984 Olympics in L.A. and she had the thrill of being at the range officiating when Canada's Linda Thom won the gold at the first-ever women's shooting event!
Pauline was the first woman to ever officiate at an Olympic shooting match. After 37 years, in 2010, she retired from Judging (at age 73!).
During her time as a shooting official, mom had opportunities to travel the world. Even after retirement, she continued to travel with family and friends. In 2010, she moved to N.Z. to join her partner Graeme. They travelled extensively around the North Island. Mom loved the warm weather and the beautiful flowers that dotted the landscape. Gardening was another one of mom's passions when she found the time. In 2015, Pauline returned to her home in Campbell River, to reunite with her family.
Mom was full of life and humour. A born leader, fiercely independent (a "Long" family trait), very conscientious, confident, and personable. She put a lot of air miles under her belt and made many friends along the way.
Pauline was predeceased by her son Daniel; her ex-husband Barry; her parents Percy and Ada Long; and sisters Eleanor, Betty, and Doreen. She is survived and cherished by her daughter Valerie; daughter-in-law Sharon, both of Campbell River; her siblings Patricia Molland of C.R. and Harold Long of Courtenay; also left to mourn her loss are a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.
I'd like to thank Dr. Sutherland for looking out for mom for many years, and the staff at Yuculta Lodge. And a special thanks to Dr. Eckford and the nursing staff on 3B at C.R. Hospital, for the excellent care and compassion mom received in her final days.
A C.O.L. will be held Sunday, May 28th between 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Dolphin's Resort in Campbell River. Flowers are graciously declined. In lieu, you could donate to the C.R. Gun Club, M.A.R.S., or a charity of your choice.