Anna Maria Pauli

Anna Maria Eva Pauli, affectionately known as “Oma”, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024. She was born January 24, 1926, in Erkelenz, Germany, the child of Wilhelm Heinrich Pauli and Gertrud Agnes Lynen. She had two brothers, Hans Wilhelm Pauli and Gunter Pauli. 

She is survived by her daughter, Eva Maria Oliveri (Robert); grandchildren, Marisa Martin (Justin), Robby Oliveri (Joanne Chan), and Tyler Oliveri; and great grandchildren, Ridley Martin and Mabry Martin.

Oma’s life was not without tribulations. Her mother was very ill and subsequently died when Oma was 13. She was raised by her father and her aunt in Muenster, Germany. She went to school in Hanover, Germany to be educated as a Kindergarten teacher. She lived through WWII, surviving air raids and bombings. After WWII ended, Germany was a very poor country. The outlook was bleak and a future there did not hold much promise. Oma’s dream was to come to the United States of America and build a new life in the land of opportunity.

She met Bernard Hoener and, through the sponsorship of his aunt, they bravely embarked on the journey to the United States. Oma married Bernie on July 23, 1955, in St. Benedicts Church, Bronx, New York. On January 2, 1957, she gave birth to her only child, Eva Maria Hoener. Unfortunately, they divorced after only 4 years of marriage. As a single mother in a new country, Oma struggled to make ends meet - often working three jobs at a time. Eventually she became employed by a medical supply company as a timekeeper, where she spent 31 years as a valued employee.

Oma was an extremely hard worker; and therefore, Eva never wanted for anything. A special bond was formed between mother and daughter, as they had to rely on one another throughout their lives. One of her proudest days, when she earned her U.S. citizenship. She is a living testament to the American dream, where hard work and determination can create a better life for the next generation. 

After she retired at the age of 68, she came to live with her daughter Eva’s family in Mississippi. She was a fixture in the family and enjoyed participating in the family’s daily activities as well as the major milestones. She acknowledged that these were the best years of her life.

She was a hero to many. Her kindness, generosity, grace, and compassion endeared her to all who knew and loved her. Under the loving and dutiful care of Eva and Robert, Oma was able to live the rest of her life in her home surrounded by family. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 5971 Lakeland Dr, Flowood, MS 39232.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the dedicated care takers with HomeCare Hospice and the Homebound and Eucharistic ministries of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. 

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