Pauline Harley Rudkin, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, at the age of 95. She was born on April 18, 1930, in Radnor Pennsylvania to Eleanor and George Harley. Shortly after her father’s untimely death in 1939, Pauline and mother Eleanor moved to New York City to live with her grandfather and Aunt Veronica Doyle. In her early years, she attended Bayside high school, later graduating from secretarial business school and taking a position with National Distillers. On October 6, 1951, she married Robert "Bob" Henry Rudkin, who years earlier returned as a decorated combat fighter pilot and POW after his P-51 Mustang was shot down during World War II.

Pauline and Bob moved to Garden City, New York in 1958 and resided there for almost sixty years with their two sons Robert and Peter. They both were active in the community particularly with the American Legion. Pauline maintained membership in the Women’s Auxiliary of the William Bradford Turner Veterans Unit No. 265 until her death. Pauline was a devoted parishioner at Saint Joseph’s Parish with membership in the Rosery Society for many years. She unconditionally loved all animals contributing to many charitable organizations supporting their rescue and care. Pauline spent hours each week at the local Petco caring for all the kittens and grown cats, which she was particularly fond of.

Pauline is survived by her two sons, Robert (Christine), Peter (Allison), five grandchildren Robert (Danielle), Katherine (James), Maxwell (Lauren) Christopher (Meghan), Sarah and her five great grandsons Atticus, Venerando, Oliver, Noah and Korben along with her 6th great grandson Declan due in March 2026.