Pauline Caroline De Roock VanNoy, 85, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born on June 12, 1939, on the island of Java, Indonesia. Her early years were marked by remarkable resilience as she and her family endured the hardships of World War II, including life in a Japanese concentration camp. Her childhood stories — from escaping a wild boar in the forest to surviving a close encounter with a python — were nothing short of extraordinary, and she shared them with humor, grace, and gratitude for her many blessings.
After the war, her family relocated to Zeist, Holland, where she embraced a new life and eventually discovered her faith through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At just 19, she courageously immigrated to the United States to pursue opportunity and adventure, bringing with her a suitcase of dreams and her mother’s sewing machine.
She met her husband, LaDon, in California, and together they built a beautiful life. She became a devoted wife and mother to three children: Lann, Hasana, and JoDal. In her career, she was a Pan Am flight attendant, a VIP hostess for Western Airlines & Delta Airlines and retired after 33 years. She was also an entrepreneur who opened the first Montessori school in Tempe, Arizona. In addition, she worked side-by-side with her husband in their construction business, all while raising a family and opening her home to youth and international students in need.
Known for her elegance, humor, strong faith, and generous spirit, she touched the lives of countless people—from dignitaries and celebrities to neighbors and strangers. Her stories could fill volumes, and her love of life was infectious. She lived by the motto: “Teach your children to love one another, to sing, to work hard, and to pray together.”
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and all those she “adopted” along the way. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5620 E. Adobe Street, Mesa, Arizona 85205, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. prior. Interment will be at Thayne Cemetery in Star Valley, Wyoming next to her dearly beloved eternal companion.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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