Pauline Williamson DeMatteo

Pauline Williamson DeMatteo, age 79, of Upper Arlington, O. for the past decade, and for most of her life, New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 3, 2009, following an extended illness. Born Edna Pauline Wenger at Dennison, Ohio, June 30, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Sonny and Marguerite Milligan Wenger. A graduate of Uhrichsville High School in 1947, she met and fell in love with Bob Williamson; whom she married on New Years Eve, 1950. Mr. Williamson passed away only hours after observing their 20th wedding anniversary. Together, the couple operated the former Siff’s Shoe Store in downtown New Philadelphia. Pauline was an expert at finding the perfect fit for her customers, many of whom she would go on to serve for decades, when in 1966, she joined BancOhio as a teller.Little did she know that over the next twenty years, her career at the bank would flourish, and her promotions would lead her to become one of the first female vice-presidents of a banking institution in our area. As the bank grew, it merged with National City Bank, and Pauline was charged with leading operations at the bank’s Southside New Philadelphia location, a position in which she ultimately retired from in 1995.Active in the community, Pauline was a member of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, having served on various committees during her tenure. She was also a member of the American Institute of Banking. Customer and community service were just two of her talents; she’ll also be remembered for her gliding across on the room, and jitterbugging the night through when she and her second husband, Joseph DeMatteo, took to the floor in clubs across the valley. Pauline and Joseph married in 1980, and he too preceded her in death in 1989. Her family will remember Pauline as a loving mother who loved to plant and tend to her vegetable and flower gardens and travel. Survivors include her two daughters; Kathee and husband Michael Contini of New Philadelphia, and Robbin and her husband Dr. Matthew Bridger, with whom Pauline spent the twilight of her life residing in their Upper Arlington home, and a step-son; Ken and wife Linda DeMatteo of Hubbard, Ohio.She’ll be sadly missed by her grandchildren; Ryan (wife, Lisa) Contini, Brenton (wife, McKenzi) Contini, and Alexa Contini, all of New Philadelphia, Sydnee Bridger of Oxford, Ohio, and Robert “Bo” Bridger, of Upper Arlington. Two great-grandchildren; Maryn and Lauryn Contini, of New Philadelphia complete the family.In addition to her parents and husbands, Pauline is preceded in death by a sister; Kathryn Terakedis, and a brother; Harry Wenger. Funeral services will be lead by Pauline’s cousin, the Rev. Bud Milligan, Saturday morning at 11 AM in the chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow the service in East Avenue Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Home Reach Hospice, 3595 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43215. Linn-Hert-Geib(330) 343-5506www.geibcares.com