'Community treasure' Pauline Gray Hearne dies at age 100

Pauline Gray Hearne died June 29 at age 100 leaving a void in the Poplar Bluff community she loved.

Hearne

Recounting their feelings for her, many used the words “a community treasurer,” “charismatic, “talented,” “a great friend,” “a great citizen” and a “walking encyclopedia of local history.”

Several talked about how she influenced their lives. A graduate of the Juilliard School of music in New York, Hearne shared her talents at countless church services, weddings, funerals and recitals, and taught music to many budding musicians. She was named Citizen of the Year in 1998 by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Mrs. Hearne was my music teacher at Kinyon Elementary School from 1946 to 1952,” said retired newspaper editor and historian John R. Stanard. “She inspired me to a lifetime of music appreciation and performance. As I turn 79 later this month, I’m still singing in my church choir and playing trombone in the Three Rivers College Symphonic Band. I owe much of my music background to her teaching and encouragement.

“Mrs. Hearne arguably was Poplar Bluff’s leading proponent and advocate of musical pursuits over most of the 100 years she lived in her hometown,” Stanard said.

While she shared her musical talents, she shared her love for community. Stanard served with her on the Public Library board of trustees in the 1990s, which he said, was “only one example of the scores of organizations and community improvement projects in which she was involved over the years. She truly was a community treasure, someone whose many positive contributions to Poplar Bluff have affected most of our citizens, whether they knew her or not.”

Judy Scott recalls Hearne being in her life since Scott was in grade school and Hearne was the director of elementary music for the all the Poplar Bluff Public Schools.

Scott describes her as having had “one of those voices that would bring tears in your eyes. She was very, very kind.”

Transferring the feelings for a teacher into friendship in her adult life, Scott remembers Hearne not only as “a wonderful woman, kind hearted,” but someone who could command a room.

“She just added so much to life,” Scott said. “There is no one I admire any more than Pauline. She was charismatic, talented and truly she was a very wonderful woman.”

Hearne was a 70-year member of Chapter DG of PEO. Mary Ann Allen, chapter president, said, “Pauline was a class act. They just don’t make them like her anymore. She was always so gracious and kind. When we lost Pauline we also lost a local treasure. She could recollect events in Poplar Bluff’s history and could recite details that truly brought them to life. I never tired of listening to her stories. I’m so sad for her family, but also for all of us who knew and loved her.”

Another friend, Mac West, said, “We were friends for a long time. She was so special. She was so nice and charming. She always wanted to have her home open for people. She was such a sharp lady and did so many good things for her town but she did not brag. She left a good legacy. I cannot believe she is gone.”

West and Hearne were members of the Citizenship Club, which has sponsored the Edgewood Children’s Home for decades. She promoted the city, downtown and the children’s home, West said.

“We sure will miss her,” West said. “She was a good lady, a great friend and a great citizen.”

John Harwell, who will speak at Hearne’s funeral Monday, said, “I don’t remember not knowing her.”

He was in Kinyon Elementary school and youth group at First Christian Church with her daughter, Nell.

“I studied music in college and Pauline was an encourager,” he said. “In my years, I had the pleasure to perform with Pauline.”

Calling her a friend and a good role model, he said, “Pauline and Dick Minetree were walking encyclopedias of Poplar Bluff history and I had the pleasure of being around them.”

“Pauline and I shared a bond which transcends the differences in age and how we felt, our views, ethics. The power of music could transcend other problems of life,” he said.

Harwell felt like he had arrived when he returned from college and working in Kansas City in 1984 and Hearne told him “let’s drop the Mrs. Hearne.”

Harwell called her a “dear friend. Pauline Hearne had a high tea elegance about her but was open to everyone. She was a proper lady who was comfortable with everyone.”

Visitation for Hearne will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at First Christian Church of Poplar Bluff. A funeral service will start at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.