Pauline Kathryn Lovrovich

Pauline Kathryn Lovrovich (Babich) passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at the age of 94. She was born in Gig Harbor on October 29, 1930 to Croatian immigrants, Nick Babich and Maria Serka. She and her brother Nick grew up in the house their father built on Rosedale Street, within a community of families from the “old country”. In 1947, she was voted Queen of Gig Harbor and crowned during the centennial celebration of Gig Harbor’s discovery by the Wilkes Expedition. Thus earning her the life-long nickname: Queen Pauline. She attended the brand-new Peninsula High School and was a member of the first graduating class in 1948. She met and fell in love with George Lovrovich, who was born and grew up in his family home a few blocks away on Harborview Drive. They were wed in the original St. Nicholas Catholic Church in 1953 and were married for 54 years until George passed on July 21, 2007. Together, they raised four sons, continuing a legacy of love, family, friends and community. 

Pauline was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt and friend. She was grace, strength and love. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary and made everyone she met feel special and important. Her focus was always on her family but she also made time to volunteer. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the St. Nicholas Catholic Church Guild. She was a proud commercial fisherman’s wife and member of the Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen’s Civic Club Women’s Auxiliary, where she took special delight in decoration and setup for their holiday parties and annual dinner dances. Pauline also volunteered at St. Anthony’s Hospital where her calm voice and warm presence helped the sick feel just a little bit better. She regularly met with friends for coffee and luncheons. Members of her exercise group became fast and life-long friends. She also became famous in the community as one of the “lunch bunch” ladies featured on numerous billboards for Cascade Regional Blood Services for their years of getting together to regularly donate blood and have lunch. By the time she was almost 70, she had donated 10 gallons of blood! 

Pauline’s presence will be deeply missed but her love and legacy will live on. She is survived by her sons Gregg (Sheri), Gary (Laurie), Tim (Ann), Tom (Rahna), grandchildren Shea (Gallaphon), Aleigh (Cj), Kaylan, Corey (Taylor), Brette (David), Rachel, Linsey, Laney and greatgrandchildren Hadley, Cale, Beau and Hunter. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church at 11:00am. A celebration of life at the Eagles Club will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Harbor History Museum at www.harborhistorymuseum.org. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com.