“Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years.” We sang the theme from “Fiddler on the Roof” at Pauline Hume’s memorial service. Everyone joined in the songs from roles she made memorable here in the musical theatre career she loved.

The memorial service was unusual and uplifting in that it encouraged the attendees to sing-along the melodies that spoke of Pauline’s life history. It was when she auditioned for Meredith Willson’s “Music Man” that she met John Hume, founder of the Downey Children’s Theatre. We joined in singing Marian the Librarian’s love song from that play, “Till There Was You.”

Pauline starred as Golde, Tevye’s wife in Fiddler, just as in real life she starred as the wife of John Hume, John was instrumental in building the Downey Theatre to house the musical spectacles.

“Pauline was a Downey icon,” said Andrew Wahlquist, of the Downey Arts Coalition, “active in the community and keeper of the legacy of her husband John Hume. Pauline continued to advocate for the arts in Downey over the years.”

Dan Lorenzetti, father with Mary of Rachel the young singing star, reminisced about how his father Sal used to cater the fabulous after-theatre opening night parties at the Embassy Suites.

“Marsha Moode and my dad would put on a spread,” said Dan. “Marsha invited stars from the musical comedy world to her Civic Light Opera openings, where Pauline starred.”

I once asked Pauline her favorite musical, and the answer was the historical musical comedy “1776,” because the Abigail Adams mezzo soprano part she took “had something of substance to say, something important to the spirit of our country.”

An intelligent and forceful lady, Abigail counsels John Adams, “Remember the ladies,” in the new code of laws. Pauline relished this.

Talk naturally turned to the subject of the Downey Civic Light Opera. The final curtain came in 2012: can we ever get back its like again?

The DCLO evolved naturally from John Hume’s Children’s Theatre, because the plays incorporated youngsters in the performances of Broadway hits.

“The children’s theater is a tool to build character,” John had said in explaining why he did what he did.

“John put the whole city on stage,” said Pauline.

“As soon as my children were old enough,” said Joyce Waddell Sherwin, “they signed up to be in the Downey Children’s Theatre shows. That’s how they got to know Pauline. Her voice always anchored the musicals.”

Linden Waddell, who produces her own brilliant chanteuse cabaret evening revues, echoed her mother.

“I knew Cindy and Mandy, Pauline’s daughters,” she said.

“Pauline became president of the Rio Hondo Elementary School PTA,” said Joyce. “So life in our part of Downey was always a family affair.”

Pauline’s son, grandchildren and daughter-in-law Yoli all participated in the service at the Light and Life Church on Florence Avenue.

When I remarked how moved I was hearing Pauline sing Bloody Mary’s haunting song “Bali Ha’I” from “South Pacific,” Joyce replied, “I heard her glorious voice each Sunday morning. Pauline was our church soloist for many years.”

Larry Dusich, promoter and Downey native, long connected with the CLO shows, attended.

“Pauline was a grand lady,” said Floyd Ellsworth Riggle Jr., a former actor in Hume’s teenage group, “who made this planet a whole lot better for a lot of us.”

Performing was not enough for Pauline: she shored also up the Guild of the Downey Symphonic Society. And as a sensible and sympathetic marriage counselor Pauline gave 20 years of professional service to the Downey community.

Family and friends came together in a happy mood to celebrate Pauline’s full life. As Anna in “The King and I,” Pauline sang “Hello young lovers, I’ve had a love of my own. like yours.” We sang that too, and then, those lines that even off-key singers can’t get wrong, “Sunrise, sunset, one season following another, laden with happiness and tears.”

Singer, counselor, actress: remembering Pauline Hume