Susan Joy Share

My mom, Pauline B. Rosenthal (Shipiatski) Share, had an artistic side. She made tile mosaics, embroidered, crocheted, and sewed up a storm. Her handwriting was beautiful and she could draw well. She also loved the theater.

Pauline took care of her children and elders. She fed everyone and shopped all over town for large quantities and the best bargains with piles of coupons in hand. Over the years she created a unique basement sculpture we dubbed “Toilet Paper Mountain.” This soft assemblage of rolls rose from floor to ceiling, spanned an entire wall and would have been the envy of all in Spring 2020. 

I'm fascinated by this photo of Pauline in a decoupage class holding a picture of her youthful self. She was a natural beauty - that hair, that face!   

I love how she takes the pose and expression of Pauline the Younger. I think she is proud and shows a sense of humor, yet I know she was embarrassed about her weight. She gained a lot after having 5 kids, including 15 pounds of twins. It’s rare to see a photo of her in later years where she’s not hiding behind someone or something. I wonder what she thought as she applied layers of varnish and sanded over the photo she had chosen for her project.