Pauline Thornley Guy, 99

SMYRNA - Pauline Thornley Guy, of Smyrna, and recently residing at State Street Assisted Living, Dover, died on April 6, 2009, in Kent General Hospital, Dover, surrounded by her family. She was 99. She was born in Smyrna, the daughter of the late Della M. Lewis and Charles P. Thornley. She graduated in 1930 from the University of Delaware with a degree in Home Economics. She resided in Philadelphia, Pa., Morgantown, W.Va., and Detroit, Mich., before returning to Smyrna in the late 1940's. For the past four years, she resided at State Street Assisted Living, Dover. Her work history included supervision of school cafeteria programs in Philadelphia, and Smyrna. Additionally, she served in a variety of capacities (bookkeeper, inventory control, etc.) for two family-owned businesses. She believed strongly in the importance of volunteerism and offered her time and energies, accompanied by a therapy dog, visiting veterans residing at Perry Point Veterans Hospital and tutoring students at Smyrna Elementary School. Community service activities included serving on the Altar Guild at St. Peter's Episcopal Church; the School Board of the Smyrna School District and the State Board of Education; and, most recently, on the Resident Council Executive Board for State Street Assisted Living. She was a frequent and generous contributor to charities involved with animal welfare and conservation of natural resources. She loved her family, her pets, travel, flowers, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Phillies. She was an outstanding cook, talented needle artist, and skilled floral arranger. A gracious hostess, she enjoyed filling her home with guests. She thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge and a variety of card games, most recently enjoying quite a bit of success playing bingo. She had a keen intellect and was a voracious reader and wonderful conversationalist. Her sharp wit remained throughout her life. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Herbert W. Fritz; and her second husband, Charles L. Guy. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth G. Siemanowski and her husband Robert J. Siemanowski of Smyrna; and two granddaughters, Julia R. and Laura T. Robinson-Guy of Elkton, Md. Memorial Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna. Interment will be private. If desired, contributions may be sent to the Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934, or to an animal charity of your choice. To send a condolence letter, visit www.delmarvaobits.com. Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.