Marjorie "Pauline" Pombo

Marjorie “Pauline” Pombo, 93, passed away on March 24, 2024 after suffering a massive stroke. Pauline Pombo was born to Charles Albert Frazier and Velma Lela McCord in Indian Creek, IA on February 7, 1931. She grew up in Arkansas until she was 13 and often spoke about the adventure of travelling with her mother and siblings by train to California where her father had been hired by a local fire department months earlier. In 1948, she graduated from Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA where she served as the Librarian for the student counsel and later became a member of the High School Reunion Committee.

She married Damon Richard Pombo in Brentwood, CA in 1950, moved to Tracy, CA, and had 4 children. She was a wonderful room mother at her children’s schools, an active member of the American Cancer Society, and a sassy member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed attending social events and fundraisers for the community, especially the St. Bernard’s Portuguese festival and local crab feeds.
In her earlier years, she and a group of friends enjoyed dance lessons. They would practice at each other’s homes then shake their tail feathers at local dance halls. Through the years, she enjoyed travelling with her husband and beloved daughter Patricia. She frequently switched the types of craft projects she was obsessed with and shared that love of crafts with her grandchildren. She was a “collector” of many things, but chicken and cow decorations were always prevalent in her home. Although, she suffered devastating losses in her lifetime she managed to enjoy life and fill our lives with love, laughter, whistling, and song.

Pauline remained in Tracy for over 70 years until her battle with dementia took her away from her home and closer to family that could care for her.

Pauline is survived by her three grandchildren Joseph Damon Pombo, Lela Ann Pombo, and Michelle Lee Brade, nine great-grandchildren Samantha, April, Joseph, Damon, Madison, Krysta, Hunter, Halle, and Chase, and three great-great grandchildren Ada, Elle, and Rhys.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Damon Richard Pombo (2005), and all four of her children Jo Anne (1951), Susie (1970), Joseph (1980), and Patricia (2021).

“Que Sera, Sera” granny.

Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 South Central Avenue, Tracy is in care of funeral arrangements. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 12 noon, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest immediately following at the Tracy Public Cemetery.

We will also be celebrating the life of Pauline’s daughter, Patricia Dianne Pombo, who died February 8, 2021 after suffering a brain aneurysm. A small private service was held in Santa Rosa, Ca in 2021 and we are now inviting family and friends to join us to celebrate both lives.




Patricia Diane Pombo
September 27, 1957 – February 8, 2021

Our beloved Patricia Diane Pombo passed away on February, 8, 2021 due to a brain aneurysm. She was predeceased by her father, Damon Pombo, sisters Jo Anne and Susan, and by her brother Joseph. Patricia is survived by her wife, Caroline Latimer, her mother, Pauline Pombo, her dear nephew and niece, Joe and Lela, by her many cousins and extended family in Tracy, and by her Latimer family, including her mother-in-law, Maureen Latimer. Patricia is also survived by many friends far and near who treasured her for the amazing human being she was and for the joy she offered up.

Patricia was born on September 27, 1957 in Tracy, CA. She made her home in Sonoma County where she worked as a senior County programmer in Santa Rosa until she retired to further her passion of rescuing animals. Patricia found joy in challenging her spirit through many long and difficult quests into the wild with amazing, adventurous women through bear country, woods, and rivers. She found a deep, abiding calling to continue to grow in compassion with respect for mother Earth and all her creatures. At one point, she and Caroline rescued seven horses from a slaughterhouse, working with Safer, a horse rescue organization in Santa Rosa. Together, they were able to find homes for all but one, a horse they named Aladdin. They brought him home and began a new adventure on their little farm with dogs, goats, cats, and a serene, meditative koi pond. For many years, Patricia and Caroline travelled with Patricia's parents and enjoyed marvelous experiences together. Alaska and its natural beauty was one of their favorite trips. Patricia always made time to be there for her family and friends with her great wit, compassion, and love. She gave love unconditionally with a tenderness and care that is rare. For the past 15 years, she was devoted to caring for her mother, whom she loved so deeply.

It was Caroline's honor to be married to Patricia for 25 years. Patricia was her best friend, soul mate, and one true love. They built a wonderful life together with so many cherished memories. She will be missed every day and fondly remembered for her gentle laughter, that twinkle in her eyes and tender open heart, so like her sweet dad, and for her keen sense of humor, so like her precious mother.

There will be a gathering at some point to celebrate Patricia's life, share memories, and comfort each other in person, once it is safe to do so. In memory of Patricia's great love for rescuing senior animals, please consider donating to an animal rescue organization of your choice or Muttville in San Francisco, a wonderful animal adoption center where she found her beloved one-eyed Gracie. muttville.org or (415) 272-4172

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