PAULINE BIRKY-KREUTZER, age 92,

of Green Valley, died Aug. 21, 2008.

She was born Pauline Livengood in Atwood, Ill., where she attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade. In high school, she played saxophone in the marching band. Pauline attended Macmurray College for one year then transferred to the University of Illinois, where she graduated Magna cum Laude in Home Economics.

Pauline married Carl W. Birky on July 26, 1936. The couple lived in Urbana, Ill., and later on a farm near Atwood while Pauline worked for the Farm Security Administration, becoming a District Supervisor, and Carl pursued graduate studies at the University of Illinois.

In 1945, Carl accepted a faculty position at the University of Indiana and the couple and son Bill moved to Bloomington. In 1948, they moved with their son and daughter to Fort Collins, Colo., where Carl took a faculty position at Colorado State University. She and Carl bought an 80-year-old house on a farm and spent many years remodeling it, creating a house and garden that were admired for their beauty. The couple were renowned for their wonderful parties, and hosted many people from around the world. Pauline wrote many articles for the Denver Post Sunday Magazine and was active in civic and school affairs.

In 1956, Pauline and Carl accepted positions with the Near East Foundation, and moved to Tehran, Iran, for two years. While there, they worked as advisors in a community development program and became familiar with village life and culture. Out of that experience grew their lifelong interest in promoting peace and understanding between the peoples of the world.

Upon their return to Fort Collins, Pauline became a Research Associate at CSU.

In 1960, she participated in a congressional feasibility study that led to the founding of the Peace Corps under President Kennedy. Pauline directed Peace Corps training programs for West Pakistan and Afghanistan. She worked in Lahore, West Pakistan, from 1962-63, where she was in charge of the Peace Corps program.

Pauline served as director of the Center for Research and Education (CRE) from 1962 until 1975, when she retired. During that time she continued her Peace Corps work and many other worthy projects. Her interest in and love for Iran and Pakistan continued throughout her life.

Carl died in 1976 after a lengthy illness. In 1978, Pauline married William Kreutzer. The couple spent many winters in Hawaii and enjoyed foreign travel. Bill died in 1996 after a lengthy illness. Pauline married Richard Kreutzer in 1998, and the couple moved to La Posada, a retirement community in Green Valley.

In 2003, Pauline wrote and published "Peace Corps Pioneer," an autobiographical account of her experiences in Iran and Pakistan. Pauline continued to be involved in activities at La Posada, and each summer she returned to her beloved mountain cabin near Fort Collins.

Pauline was preceded in death by her three husbands, Carl, Bill, and Dick (2004); and two grandchildren Susan Birky and Patrick Savageau.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Susan Birky of Tucson,; daughter and son-in-law Ann and Mike Savageau of Davis, Calif.; grandchildren Mark and Elisa Savageau and Alex Torsell; great-grandson Dominic Nider-Savageau; stepchildren Karen Kreutzer, Rick Kreutzer, Richard Kreutzer, Sue Kreutzer, Robert Kreutzer, their spouses, and nine step-grandchildren.

Pauline was a much beloved wife, mother, grandmother and civic leader, and she will be greatly missed. Her family is profoundly grateful to all the loving caregivers at La Hacienda who tended Pauline during her final days.

Cremation has taken place; a memorial will be held in Fort Collins at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Central Asia Institute, Heifer International, or the International Red Cross.