Lydia Pavlin (nee Mattern), 89, of Mount Laurel, NJ passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at CareOne in Moorestown, NJ. Mrs. Pavlin was born in Posen, Poland and was raised in Germany. She enjoyed her early childhood growing up on her grandfather’s farm. After surviving World War II, Lydia met her husband, Dr. Walter Pavlin, a Russian Military Officer, in 1945. Lydia and Walter spent their first years of marriage as a doctor and nurse in a displacement camp in East Germany. It was there that they helped many displaced Jewish people reestablish their lives and where they also made many lifelong friends. In 1951, without knowing any English and with only the equivalent of $20, Lydia and her husband immigrated to America. For five years Lydia and Walter lived in the Bronx. While living in NYC Walter worked on receiving his U.S. medical license at Harlem Hospital and Lydia worked as a nurse. In 1956, after having two children, Lydia and Walter moved to Vineland, NJ where they spent the majority of their lives and where Walter had a private medical practice. Fifteen years ago Lydia and Walter moved to Mount Laurel, NJ to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Lydia was fluent in four languages. She was an avid reader, especially enjoying German novels. She loved to travel and Hawaii was her favorite place to visit. Lydia also enjoyed music and liked opera and Broadway plays. But above all, Lydia loved spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Lydia spent much of her later years reminiscing about her past. She never forgot the many people that helped her throughout her life, especially her best friends Leo and Virginia Cinaglia. Lydia was honored to be an American citizen and she was proud that she and Walter achieved the American Dream. Lydia brought only kindness to the world and was beloved by everyone she met. Lydia was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Walter, in 2003. She is survived by her children, Nina Eni (Louis) and Bob Pavlin; grandchildren, Lauren, Michael, Melanie, Valerie, Mark; great-grandchildren, Mia, John, Rory, Noah and Olivia; many nieces and nephews in Germany. At the request of the family, services and interment will be private. Memorial donations in Lydia’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001 or at www.Alzfdn.org .