BURTONSVILLE, MD — Pauline Holmsen Gallup died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, September 23, 2013, at her home in Burtonsville, MD, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 81.

Pauline was the devoted wife of G. Benjamin Gallup and the loving mother of Susan G. Klus (Steven), Elizabeth G. Warner (Gregory), and James B. Gallup, and the dedicated grandmother of Jeremiah Judy.

She was the touchstone in our family: a calm, quiet, unassuming, and determined presence, with a dry sense of humor and a beautiful smile. She was a source of strength for us all.

Pauline was born in Bath, Maine, to Paul M. Holmsen and Frieda W. Holmsen. She attended Morse High School, graduating in 1949. She studied classical music and piano and received the Most Musical Award from Morse High. Prior to her marriage, she worked for the Bath City Manager as a secretary. Her marriage to Ben took her from her small New England town to Keflavik, Iceland; Madrid, Spain; Bermuda; and finally, back to the United States. She loved her family, children, flowers, music, and all things bright and beautiful.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Congregational Church, 9525 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901 on Saturday, October 19 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her name to the Christ Congregational Church Deacon’s Fund.