Pauline Schlim Obituary

Pauline Rouvalis Schlim, 89, a loving and generous soul, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025 in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. She was born in Newport News, Virginia on May 8, 1935 to the late Efthemia and Alexander Rouvalis. Pauline spent most of her life in this city that she loved so much, and it was there that she raised her own family with her beloved husband, Albert William Schlim who predeceased her on March 2, 2007.
Pauline was a 1953 graduate of Newport News High School and attended the University of Richmond and the Smithdeal-Massey Business College. As a young secretary working at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia, she met a handsome Army captain named Al Schlim. They wed in 1957 and together, they travelled the world, raised a family, and enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage and friendship.
Pauline had a notable career spanning over 30 years as an executive assistant, working under several 4-star generals at Fort Monroe. She was respected and admired by all, known for her attention to detail and work ethic, along with her beautiful smile, generous spirit, fashionable attire and stylish hairdos. After her retirement, she devoted herself to her family while also working with Albert in his law practice.
Pauline loved cooking for her family, baking Greek pastries which were part of all family celebrations, shopping, sports, and talking to friends and family on the phone. She was a natural dancer, easily catching the beat with her fluid moves and precise footwork and could be counted on to light up the dance floor at parties and weddings. She was an avid walker, enjoying the outdoors in her later years with her sweet dog Daisy. Pauline was a long time communicant of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Virginia, where she was a member of the Hellenic Women's Penelope Society and the Philoptochos Society.
Pauline is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Betsy Mills, and niece Helen Neofitou Patrick. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Thomas Croak of Little Silver, NJ, her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Kristen Schlim of New Canaan, CT, five grandchildren, Meghan (Andy), John (Karen), Kendall, Jamie and Camryn, two great-grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart, Dallas and Sullivan, and her niece Alexis Dabbs. She is also survived by her precious fur babies, Nellie, Rico and Daisy.
The family wishes to thank the Philoptochos Society of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River, New Jersey for welcoming Pauline into their community and the staff at Sunrise of Shrewsbury for their loving and compassionate care. Pauline's final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her beloved Albert. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, New Jersey has been entrusted with the arrangements.