Pauline Lawrence Limón was born in California. She joined the Denishawn Company as pianist and also danced minor roles for the Company. She was a pianist for Martha Graham before joining the Humphrey-Weidman Company where she was a pianist, conductor of the orchestra, business manager, and costume designer. She met José Limón while he was a student with the Company and married him in 1941. She was involved with the José Limón Company from its inception; her major functions were costume designing and representing José Limón and the company.