Michele “Mimi” Pauline, a vibrant soul and devoted mother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Known for her warmth and compassionate spirit, Mimi lived a life full of love and discovery. She cherished her family and friends, rooted passionately for her favorite sports teams, and embraced every opportunity for adventure. Mimi brought joy and light to everyone she met, balancing strength and independence with a heart that welcomed all.
Born in Los Angeles to Oscar and Rose Mayer, Mimi was raised in a close-knit family full of celebrations and connections. A strong-willed and determined young woman, she graduated from UCLA with a BA in Accounting. After college, Mimi adventured to San Francisco where she began her accounting career at BART. She fell in love with Northern California, as well as with her first husband, David Kashubeck. Together, they built a life in Santa Rosa, where they established a CPA business and raised their children, Stacey and Ross, alongside David’s three children from a previous marriage, Susan, Lori, and Todd. On top of parenting and her professional duties, Mimi was also an active presence in the Santa Rosa community, volunteering for organizations such as the 20/30 Club and the American Cancer Society.
As life evolved, so did Mimi, falling in love with and marrying Lee Pauline. Together, they shared 25 years of adventure and partnership in Santa Rosa, San Mateo, and Palm Springs. Throughout all their adventures, Mimi’s unwavering priority and north star was always her children. She was endlessly proud of Stacey and Ross, celebrating their every achievement with immense joy. She also extended her boundless love and care to their friends and partners, welcoming everyone as part of her family.
With her family’s happiness at the heart of her world, Mimi also found fulfillment and joy in her successful and impactful career. She held senior roles as Controller at GenPharm International, Half Moon Bay Golf Links, Tamarisk Golf Club, and most recently Social Thinking-Stevens Creek, an organization that teaches social cognition and communication skills for those with social learning differences. Mimi built many lasting friendships through her career and left an indelible mark on every team she worked with.
Her love of sports began with childhood trips to Dodgers games with her father, where she admired Sandy Koufax from the stands. That passion blossomed over the years as she rooted for the 49ers and SF Giants. Meeting sports legends like Jerry Rice and Willie Mays on the Links in Half Moon Bay was a thrill she never forgot. But above all, the Golden State Warriors captured her heart – when a game was on, everyone knew she couldn’t be disturbed, unless you needed a detailed rundown of the latest play.
Her adventurous spirit inspired travels far and wide. Mimi cherished Christmases spent in Italy, breathtaking views in Switzerland and Austria, and journeys through China and Japan. Whether savoring wine country in Sonoma, exploring the coast of California, or simply breathing in the mountain air at Lake Tahoe, she found joy in every new experience, especially when shared with her children. At home, Mimi found peace tending to her roses, playing bridge, cooking her favorite recipes, and cruising in her beloved convertible Thunderbird.
She delighted in life’s simple joys often revolving around food: relishing turkey legs at family Thanksgivings, enjoying lox and bagels on Christmas mornings, and savoring soft-boiled eggs while watching her hummingbird friends dance through the yard. She always took a moment to soak in the beauty around her, often looking up with her smiling eyes and saying, ‘This is heaven.’
Mimi leaves behind her children, Stacey Kashubeck (Tom) and Ross Kashubeck (Amy), along with countless friends and loved ones whose lives she enriched. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lynne Reinschreiber, and her husbands, David Kashubeck and Lee Pauline.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 17, in Sonoma, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (https://tribute.ocrahope.org/mimipauline) or Cancer Support Sonoma, organizations that supported Mimi in her courageous fight against cancer.
Mimi lived boldly, loved deeply, and laughed often. Her spirit and energy will be missed but never forgotten, carried forward by family and friends who will always feel her spark—and perhaps still hear her cheering on the Warriors and savoring life’s simple joys.
