Pauline W. Egan

Pauline Wood Egan died peacefully at the age of 74 on July 11 which, perhaps emblematic of her unending dedication to husband William (Bill) C. Egan, was the date of their 52nd wedding anniversary.  Pauline, known by her loving family as “Mu” succumbed to cancer gracefully, surrounded by her children and grandchildren at their residence in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Born to Arthur MacDougall Wood and Pauline Palmer Wood of Chicago on June 9th, 1948, Pauline spent her childhood in Lake Forest Illinois and Pasadena California before attending Smith College.   After her graduation, she was married in Lake Forest, Illinois on July 11, 1970 and then moved to the north coast of Honduras where her husband was working in the Peace Corps.   She lived most of her married life in Princeton, New Jersey.

Pauline will be remembered foremost for her love of family which included five children and 15 grandchildren.  She was the heartbeat of this family.  They were her greatest source of joy, and the focus of her life and travels. She was the quintessential matriarch, treasured by all of her descendants as a limitless source of kindness, generosity, gentility and warmth.  Pauline enjoyed most being surrounded by family but also by nature, be it pink sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico or the wondrous wildlife of Jackson Hole.  Pauline was known for her empathy and compassion for others, her unparalleled handwritten correspondences and indefatigable desire to make others feel her genuine love through gifts and words.  Pauline was adored by friends and family alike for her honesty and integrity, her brilliance and wit, and her ability to connect effortlessly and authentically with the young and the old.  She was a prolific reader of books, a great student of history and the arts, a dedicated needlepointer, a world class shopper, the proud overseer for many a beautiful garden and the unwavering caregiver for dozens upon dozens of animal companions throughout her lifetime.  Pauline was generous with her time toward causes close to her heart, having served as the Chairwoman of the Board at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, as a Trustee for Camp Kieve for Boys, as the Chairwoman of SAVE - a Friend to Homeless animals and as a benefactor for various humanitarian and social service organizations. 

Pauline’s enduring legacy will be one of togetherness and love.  To her friends, she was a trusted and loyal source of advice and described as a master of compassion and love, whose footprints will remain on the souls she leaves behind.  She was thoughtful, empathetic, creative, and articulate — for so very many, the perfect friend.  She was magnanimous with her affection, support, and humor and she loved fiercely.  To family, she was simply the center of everything.  Annual calendar planning started and ended with “visits to Mu,” and Pauline managed to equitably spread her love and attention across so many adoring children and grandchildren which was her greatest gift to them.  

Pauline is survived by her husband William Egan, her children Katherine Egan Gilbane (husband Thomas), William M. Egan (wife Alisa), Janie Egan Bertelson, Timothy Wood Egan (wife Courtney), and Emily Egan Potts (husband Allen) as well as her grandchildren Chandler Pauline Gilbane, Thomas Freeman Gilbane IV, Hugh Calkins Gilbane, Brooks MacDougal Egan, William Pierson Egan, Henry MacDougal Bertelson, James Constantine Bertelson, William Egan Bertelson, Palmer Jane Egan, George Thorndike Egan, William Wood Egan, Benjamin Potter Egan, Allen Rives Potts IV, Taggart William Potts, and Lottie Jane Potts.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor this fall in Jackson Hole.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor can be made to the Teton Raptor Center or the Brain Chemistry Labs, both in Jackson Hole.