Pauline Edna Steadman

Pauline Edna (Lux) Steadman, born Jan. 29, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pa., passed away Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, peacefully in her Miami Beach home. Pauline was the granddaughter of Phillip Yuritch, who migrated from Austria, and granddaughter of Mary Celijog from Yogoslavia. She was born to parents Nellie Gibbons and Phillip Adam Lux. She was preceded in death first by her son, Phillip Walter Steadman; parents, Nellie and Phillip Lux; husband, Harold Steadman; brother, Alfred Lux; aunt and uncle, Polly and Baron deHirsch Meyer; sister, Marie Williams; nephew, James "Duke" Williams; and beloved daughter, Pauline "Cookie" McCall. Pauline's family moved to Miami Beach, Fla., in 1933. Pauline graduated from Miami Beach Senior High in 1939 and went on to graduate from Sharon Williams Business College in 1941. Some of her favorite high school friends were Desi Arnaz and Kim Hunter, whom later went on to become big stars. In her youth she was employed by her aunt, Polly Lux deHirsch Meyer, as Polly was the first female contractor in the state of Florida, building such landmarks as the Majestic, Imperial, Anglers, Berkley Shores, The Cadet and the Royal Hotel. Pauline held many positions along with her brother and sister. Her mother and father ran the Luxton Hotel and the Regal Apartment House on South Beach. During this time the U.S. was at war and when Pauline wasn't watching Clark Gable lead his troops up Collins Avenue she was working for Southern Bell as an overseas and long distance operator, often returning the coins to the service men who would be calling from overseas. Of course, this was never known to her employer. She also enjoyed dancing with the service men at what was then the Warsaw Ballroom, where the men outnumbered the women 5 to 1. Pauline met Harold "Hap" Steadman on a train returning from North Carolina while he was on R & R from the war as a Naval Machinist Mate. She later married "Hap" in 1946 and moved to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she worked at Collins Radio as an inspector and retired 22 years later. After raising their three children, Pauline and "Hap" returned to Miami Beach in 1975 and went to work for her Aunt Polly deHirsch Meyer where Pauline continued working until Polly's death in 1998. She was a founder of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, Fla., and also supported other local charities. Pauline had such a beautiful spirit and positive attitude towards life that even in the most difficult of situations she never showed anything, but grace. She loved her dog Missy as if she was human (which she thinks she is), her trips to Las Vegas with family, and of course playing her favorite past time, BINGO, with all of her dear friends. She was a loving wife, forgiving mother, and the dearest of friends. Pauline is survived by sons, Walter Steadman (Lisa) and Martin Steadman (Colleen); nephew, Robert Williams (Eleanor); and grandchildren, Jason McCall, Tara Segassi and Jeremy Steadman. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers who were so very good to Momma when she became ill. Words cannot express our gratitude. Mass of the Resurrection will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.