By Ian Hill

Residents of Otford have received the sad news of the passing of Pauline Lacelles-Smith in her sleep on Thursday, 16 September. Those who knew her now endure a sense of loss as Pauline was very much a leading figure in the community. 

Pauline was a very upfront and upright lady with a distinct Yorkshire accent stemming from her youth in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK and became the relentless driving force behind the Otford Pantry on Lady Wakehurst Drive. Her input and high visibility at the pantry led many to refer to the place as Pauline’s Pie Shop. 

Pauline championed apple pies, prepared prior to the weekend opening of the shop. Their homemade freshness became legendary, even to the point of being world famous. Further delights available included freshly made pancakes or scones with jam and cream as well as apple strudel with ice-cream. For bush walkers, the pie shop provided a welcome starter prior to a walk and upon return, if reached before closing time at 4pm, one could safely restore any calories lost due to the exertions of the day with a legendary Apple Pie and Cream. 

The Pie Shop provided weekend work for many local young people and was often a hive of activity. It soon developed its own unique features thanks to Pauline’s fondness for the natural environment. Patrons sitting next to the sun-drenched northern windows of the pantry would be surprised to see the guest appearance of a blue tongue lizard lazing or meandering along the window sill beside them. 

As if that wasn’t enough, a so-called dwarf piglet grew to be its own attraction for those visiting the rear toilet. The dwarf nature of the piglet soon revealed itself to be a mischaracterisation and it grew to be a fully sized pig of some dimension but with a very friendly personality and answering to the name of Pork Chop. 

Pauline had moved to Sydney from the UK and in her spare time began performing at the also famous Strathfield Light Opera Company, where she met her future husband, Glenn. They married and purchased the Otford Pantry and proceeded to build its reputation. 

Pauline had an engaging personality and a no-nonsense approach to one and all. A visit to the pie shop became as much a visit to Pauline. Her energies extended beyond the pantry and channelled into community building where she became the president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce and the chair of the 2508 Neighbourhood Forum. This involved a lot of correspondence with Wollongong Council on a complete range of community interests. She also managed the hire and running of the Otford tennis court and was a member of the Helensburgh Lions Club. Pauline became a strong supporter of the movement to retain and preserve the natural environment of the whole 2508 region, including the Royal National Park, and to this endeavour became the president of the Otford Protection Society. Pauline was also a local representative on the Wollongong Precinct Safety Committee, orchestrated by Wollongong Police. 

Memories of her engaging conversation with patrons while serving and wiping the tables inside and outside the pantry will long remain. Vale Pauline, you will be fondly remembered. 

‘One of a kind’

Tributes flowed for Pauline Lacelles-Smith.

“Pauline was truly one of a kind and worked tirelessly for decades to promote the community of the Northern Illawarra, not only as a small business owner with husband Glenn… but also as Convenor of Neighbourhood Forum 1 and President for many years of the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce Inc (NICC).  She was also a great mate and loved a good celebration over a glass of quality champagne!” – Greg Watts

“Pauline was president of the Otford Protection Society… a mentor to many fighting to save our environment. I spent many hours with her as a friend, working with her on community issues. As we get older, those that have lead by example start to fade and pass that baton on. Pauline passed her baton on to many of us.” – Warwick Erwin

Miss P was best known for her welcoming Otford Apple pie shop – an iconic meeting place for our small village and tourists alike. Always greeted with a “hello Nats” or “Hi Luv”, I considered her not only a friend and neighbour but someone I could rely on in the battle to protect our beautiful bushland region. She was never afraid take controversy head on. I witnessed a number of fiery meetings at the Helensburgh Neighbourhood Forum but she took them on regardless. Miss P/Pauline you can finally relax now, your work is done. We will all miss you. – Natasha Watson

Pauline was an Otford warrior who led so many local initiatives over many years. – Kerry and Peter

Such a privilege to have known you Pauline, much respect for your tenacity and drive, and standing up for what matters. Rest well. – Jackie B

Pauline had a very maternal presence for the whole of Otford. She hired many local kids to work in the shop and she’d always give us a very cheap lunch if we went in there. The smell of that shop is etched into my consciousness. – Sanghajit (Knut) Wilmott

Pauline if anything gave Otford a reference point to some degree, many knew the place for the Apple pie shop. – Dane Wilmott

RIP – I will always remember the good old days and how kind and happy you were. – Chris Ingleby

She was a champion for our area , I saw her much like a Queen Boudicea as a strong female leader who never gave up. RIP. – Dale Ingleby