Pauline Erlick

Pauline Erlick, 89 years old, of Goodyear, Arizona passed away on May 4, 2026.

Pauline was born on November 19, 1936, to Bessie & Jim Martin in London, England. She was the daughter of a psychiatric nurse and an auto-mechanic (who served in the British army and helped liberate the Jews from one of the concentration death camps). Having been born right before WWII, this always shaped Pauline’s approach and outlook to life. She and her parents lived through the German bombing of their home in London. Thankfully the family was in a bomb shelter at the time.

In 1962, while working in Belgium, Pauline met Preston Erlick, the man she would stay married to for 57 years, until his passing in 2020. They were both on a work assignment at the time. He from the US and she from the UK. They wed that same year and then moved to the United States.

Pauline was passionate about travel, an interest she shared with her husband, Preston. This was important to them, and they did it for most of their lives. She lived many places around the world due to Preston’s work assignments. Her favorite travel experience was the 2 years, the family spent living in the outback of Australia.

Pauline had a wide variety of interests and talents:

 • Musical: Pauline had a passion for music and enjoyed all types, earning a Certificate from the Royal Academy of Music, University of London, for playing the piano.

 • Athletic: She was very athletic playing basketball, tennis, running track, bike riding and hiking.

 • Artist: She was also a talented self-taught artist – a painter and sketcher. • Public Speaker: She was very well spoken and became the local Toastmasters club president. Pauline loved to strike up a good chat with anyone. All who encountered her described her as a breath of fresh air.

 • Author: Pauline was an author of many articles and papers about world events (then and now). She was published many times in her local newspaper, while spending summers in Lake Tahoe.

 • Reader: She had a passion for history and was a self-taught Historian who loved the study of all religions. She was very well read and loved a good debate.

 • Animal Advocate: She loved all animals, particularly dogs. She seemed energized just by being around them.

When people met Pauline, they would say that she was a strong, vibrant and passionate lady who was full of life. Most people would say, “she’s always been one of my favorite people.” She had a rare and delightful personality and as authentic as they come.

A couple of fun facts about Pauline is that she does not dye her hair (she never went grey!) and she had modeled clothing, in Milan, Italy in the 1950’s.

Pauline and Preston had lived in the Arcadia area of Phoenix, since the early 1990’s. After Preston’s passing, while visiting her daughter, Kathy, in Pebblecreek she fell in love with the community and moved 5 doors down. In Pebblecreek, Pauline enjoyed singing in the Ukulele Club, going to Karaoke at Eagles Nest on Wednesday evenings, enjoyed eating on the Eagles Nest patio and stayed physically fit by going to the gym and walking around the neighborhood. 

Pauline is survived by daughter Kathy, sons Rob and James; stepson Lance; grandchildren David, Jason, Anna and Sarah; great grandchildren, Brooke, Ashlyn and Colton. 

The family requests that instead of flowers, please donate to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), PBS and PETA in the name of Pauline Erlick.

 There will be a memorial service on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018.