Pauline Traver Holdridge

MENTOR, Ohio — Pauline Traver Holdridge, age 87 of Mentor, passed away Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Twp.

She was born Jan. 6, 1938 in Cuba, N.Y.

Pauline was the daughter of Harold and Rowena Newman Traver, who were lifelong residents of Wellsville, N.Y.

She graduated in 1956 and joined her Marine Corps husband, Don Holdridge, at Camp LeJeune, N.C.

After the military, they settled in Olean, N.Y., where they welcomed two daughters, Lynda in 1960 and Christine in 1963. Her daughters were the light of her life, and she worked various jobs so she could always be there for them.

She was active in community events and worked at St. Francis and Olean General Hospital. As the girls got older, she found her niche as an optician with the Olean Council Optometric Group.

In 1991, Pauline moved to Mentor, attended Cuyahoga Community College, and earned her optical dispensing license. She was the manager of E.B.Brown Opticians, Mentor office, until she retired in 2003.

Pauline spent much of her life loving and caring for her special needs daughter and grandson, Christine and Brian. She felt it was her purpose and she never wavered in advocating for them.

She is survived by daughter, Christine (Michael Rubertino) Holdridge; grandson, Brian Holdridge; daughter, Lynda (Reggie) Rooks; grandsons, Reggie (Ashley) Rooks Jr. and Mathew Rooks; brother, Richard (Diana Hile) Traver; nephews, Dennis (Heidi) Traver and Douglas (Melissa) Traver; great-grandchildren, Reed and Delaney Rooks; as well as several cousins in the Bradford, Pa. area.

She will be laid to rest in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hinsdale, N.Y.

In later years, Pauline’s beloved rescue cats gave her much comfort. Please consider a donation to Lake Humane Society, online at lakehumane.org/ in her honor; or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Mentor.

Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.