Pauline Reilly
1916-April 6, 2006
Menlo Park, California

Pauline Lenoir "Polly" Reilly, who with her husband, Phil Reilly, taught ballroom dancing locally for more than 40 years, died March 6 at her Menlo Park home. She was 90.

Ms. Reilly was born in Lebanon, Tennessee, sister to five brothers. She grew up in San Bernardino and graduated from San Bernardino Junior College in 1938. She moved to San Francisco in 1939. While working for Ducks Unlimited, she met her future husband. They were married in 1941 and celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary two months before Mr. Reilly died in 1999.

The Reillys taught ballroom dancing to adults and generations of local children. A surprising number of Silicon Valley titans learned to foxtrot from the Reillys, say family members.

The couple took their show on the high seas, beginning in 1959. They taught aboard ships of the Matson Steamship Lines, traveling through the South Pacific and Australia. They later worked for American President Lines, Royal Viking Lines and Delta Lines, traveling to Africa, Europe, South America and the former Soviet Union.

Ms. Reilly is survived by her children, Phil Reilly III of Larkspur, Tom Reilly of St. Helena, Denise Guidry of Santa Rosa and Madelon Cloud of Petaluma; and seven grandchildren.

Tags: teacher/educator