Pauline F. Baxa, 96 formerly of Franklin died April 28 in the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham.
Born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, January 11, 1911 the daughter of the late Charles and Bertha (Sayre) Baxa, Professor Baxa had lived in Franklin since 1939.
She was a graduate of Buckhannon High School in 1929 where she was the class valedictorian.
She graduated in 1932 from West Virginia Wesleyan College with an A.B. in French and English.
She graduated from Middlebury College in 1937 with a M.A. in French.
She received her doctorate from Boston University in modern foreign Languages in 1969.
She worked at Dean College for over 50 years, being awarded the title "Professor" in 1971. She first taught French and Spanish and in 1948 she was named Dean of Women, which she held until 1968.
In 1966, she received the Distinguished Service Award from Dean during its Centennial year.
In 1989, she received the Thompson Award for Service from Dean, which is the highest award given at Dean.
She volunteered many times to teach in Haiti and traveled the world extensively as part of many study groups for American Colleges.
She was the sister of the late Clifford Baxa and Margharita Sorton.
A memorial service will be hels at a later date. Burial will take place in Heavener Cemetery in Buckhannon, West Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Pauline F. Baxa Scholarship Fund c/o Dean College, Franklin, MA 02038 or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 East 92nd St., NY, NY 10128.