PROVO — Packed away for safekeeping in the back of an old carriage house are some of Shirley Paxman's dearest friends.
They come in all shapes and sizes, complexions and nationalities. Some wear ringlets and evening gowns. Others wear go-go boots and miniskirts. They are the dolls that have shared at least 25 of Paxman's 87 years. A substantial number of them have been around much longer than that. At least 200 were her children's toys.
The dolls at one time filled the display cases at the McCurdy Doll Museum in Provo. Now they are awaiting the time they'll get a new home.
"Don't we all wish we knew reality like Barbie does?" asks Paxman. "Her legs defy anatomy, and her bust defies gravity. She has all the clothes in the world, no children and she's gone through all the careers — successfully."
The doll museum is just one of the many things Paxman has been involved with throughout her life, usually in 25-year segments.
"I'm a 25-year person," she said. "If it takes 25 years, I'll give it my heart."
The doll museum was opened to the community for 25 years, and one of her pet projects, the Advent celebration "Carols By Candlelight," has been around 25 years.
It took 25 years of persistence by Paxman and others to get an all-faiths chapel built inside the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
"The Paxmans had such a passion and commitment to seeing a chapel built at UVRMC that they became a catalyst for other community partners to come together and see the project through to completion," said the Rev. Dean Jackson of the Rock Canyon Assembly.
"The chapel is the heart of the hospital," Paxman said. "Patients, visitors and doctors needed a quiet place of prayer and meditation."
"It is largely because of her interest in a chapel that we have one, " said Chaplain Alden Brown. "She made a personal contribution that was significant and made having this chapel possible. The chapel is used over and over and has blessed many lives."
It took 25 years on the BYU Academy Board for her to see to the salvation of the school and its eventual transformation into the Provo City Library at Academy Square.
"Shirley was instrumental in generating the necessary excitement and passion," said Provo Librarian Gene Nelson.
Born on Dec. 10, 1919, in Provo, she spent nearly every summer at the family cabin in Provo Canyon. She married Monroe Paxman 63 years ago. They have seven children, 26 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
While her family and home have always been extremely important to her, Paxman makes no apologies for taking time for her community. In fact, she is a strong believer that women should take an active role in their communities.
"I have this thing," she said adamantly. "Young people need to know there is a life outside the home. There is a community out there that they can be a part of."
Education and career are of great importance to her. She has bachelor of science and master's degrees in childhood development from BYU. She is a registered nurse, has worked in hospitals and taught nursing for several years. She served on the Provo School Board for eight years.
She has traveled around the world, met fascinating people and entertained some of them in her home. She considers herself very religious and believes there should be great tolerance for other's beliefs. During the year she lived in Turkey, she read the Koran so she could understand Muslim beliefs. She is known by most of the ministers in the community. It's not uncommon to see her at services at St. Mary's Episcopal Church or the Provo Community United Church of Christ or in an LDS Sacrament meeting.
Like most women with her drive, there is always something to do, some cause to forward. While the aging process may take hold of her body, Paxman's heart will always be young and her mind constantly seeking learning and ways to make her community better.
E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com