Pauline Ruby Ensign

Pauline Ruby Ensign passed into the arms of Jesus on April 13, 2019 in Salem, Oregon.

Pauline was born in Los Angeles, California on July 2, 1927, to Daniel Ysidro Sepulveda and Rose Herman. She is a descendent of a long line of Sepulveda’s who migrated from Spain to Mexico and southern California in the 1700s. Her Jewish maternal heritage emigrated from Eastern Europe to New York City in the late 1800s.

Raised by her grandparents, Frank and Adelina Sepulveda, she attended John C. Fremont High School, in Los Angeles and worked for various manufacturing companies and retailers during her life. She married Ken Walton in 1946 and had two daughters, Kathleen and Susan. Their relationship was not permanent and they divorced. Pauline met Gilbert Ensign in early 1959 and they married on July 2, 1960. Gilbert adopted Kathleen and Susan and they had two more children together, Denise and Lori.

Gilbert was in the Air Force and the family lived in various states and Guam throughout his career. They settled in Michigan for 19 years. In 1998, they began full time RVing, exploring the USA, Canada and visiting their daughters and friends in various states. They moved to Salem, Oregon in 2008 and continued RVing part-time for several years. Pauline was raised in the Catholic Church and became Lutheran after marrying Gil. Over the years, they were founding members of Ascension Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, members of St. Luke’s Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the United Church in Tallahassee, Florida, and are currently members of First Congregational Church in Salem, Oregon.

Family was central to Pauline’s life. Pauline taught her daughters about gracious hospitality and establishing family traditions. She sewed special outfits and knit beautiful items for her family. She learned quilting, basketry and painting, turning her creations into Christmas ornaments and gifts. Pauline was an extraordinary cook and baker, passing on favorite recipes to family and friends. She shared her knowledge of making enchiladas and enjoyed having this become a family activity in preparation for Christmas Day, a unique holiday meal. Her gifts of Pumpkin bread with Nutmeg butter was also welcomed by neighbors and friends during the holidays.

Pauline will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother and friend, expressing her love with joy and a smile. Pauline was always ready with her playful sense of humor, quick wit, caring and respectful spirit. Pauline was a forty-five year breast cancer survivor and a two year skin cancer survivor. She participated in multiple Relay for Life events and was an inspiration to many.

Pauline is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gilbert L. Ensign: her four daughters, Kathleen Childers (Gary), Susan Snellenberger (Jon), Denise Owens (Michael) and Lori Ensign (Shelley); her brother Ray Sepulveda (Julie); sister-in-law Ellen Kline; nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pauline was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; father and mother in law, Henry and Ethel Ensign; sister in law, Barb Cotter; brother in laws, Jerry Cotter, Kenny Hamilton and Victor Kline.

A celebration of Pauline’s life will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2019, 2:00pm at First Congregational Church, 700 Marion St., Salem, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Pauline’s name to Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 Third St. NW, Salem, OR 97304 www.wvh.org or the American Cancer Society, 0330 SW Curry St., Portland, OR 97239.
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