Pauline Jackson Tonsor

November 8, 1932 - February 13, 2021

Pauline Jackson Tonsor, 88, of East Peoria, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2021, at her home. Her children and friends were at her side. Pauline was born to the late Walter and Lorene Jackson on November 8,1932, in Whitewater, MO. She married Gerald M. Tonsor on November 11, 1950 at Holy Ghost Church in Jerseyville. Gerald died on April 21, 2017. During their 67 years of marriage, Pauline and Gerald had many adventures; the best of which was raising their 9 children to be strong faith-filled people. Surviving are Michael (Joy) Tonsor, Andrew (Monika) Tonsor, Connie Tonsor, William (Connie) Tonsor, Mark Tonsor, Daniel Tonsor, Mary Brammeier, Kathryn (Fernando) Arias, and Theresa Tonsor Kline. Pauline has 15 grandchildren, Dawn Tonsor, Dr. Rachel Grieder, Melissa Neckopulos, Dr. Michael Tonsor, Jonah Tonsor, Elizabeth Tonsor, Tim Tonsor, Victor Tonsor, Joshua Tonsor, Roseanna Elliott, Robert, Eric, and James Brammeier, and Fernando and Tatiana Arias. She also has 14 great grandchildren. Pauline is also survived by her brother, Jackie Jackson; her daughter of the heart, Kathy (Star) Joseph; and her sisters-in-law, Deloris Jackson Trentham, Sherri Jackson, Mary Jean Tonsor Jarvis, Betty Tonsor and Bernadine Tonsor. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Eugene Jackson; and her much loved daughter-in-law, Donna Tonsor. Pauline loved her God, her husband, her family and friends. She never met a child who didn’t recognize instantly her kindness and great care for all children. She was a peacemaker in her family and the one all turned to in times of trouble for a listening ear coupled with a loving heart. Gerald once asked her how she could listen to everyone’s troubles and still sleep well at night. She told him all she could do was listen with a loving ear, pray and give the issue to God, so God could do his job. “Blessed are the meek.” Pauline loved quilting and crafting, especially for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She created several specialty quilts and crafts. On holidays it was common to see 10 pies cooling on the kitchen table. She planted gardens and canned. She was a birder, watching each year for the return of the robins, orioles and hummingbirds. Pauline worked many jobs including fry cook, clerk, and worker at Caterpillar, but they were just jobs that helped make her true vocation of wife and mother financially easier. Mom and Dad loved to travel; often leaving on the worst driving day of the year and returning in time to plant their garden. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Gary Deiters Funeral Home and Cremation Services, with an additional visitation 30 minutes prior to mass. Covid restrictions will be followed and masks will be required. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Peoria on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM, with Fr. David Richardson officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Peoria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Philomena Catholic Church Endowment Fund or Lurie Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.