She was born May 4, 1943, in Augusta, Maine, the daughter of Laurette and Lionel Lessard. She was educated in the Bath, Maine, school system and graduated from Morse High School in 1961 with high honors and as a member of the National Honor Society.
Following high school, Paula received her bachelor of science degree from Gorham State Teacher’s College in Gorham, Maine, in 1965. She then moved to Connecticut and began teaching in Simsbury and Tariffiville Elementary School system for 35 years, retiring in 2000. In 1970 she attended the University of Miami, Fla., and received her master’s degree.
Paula was a dedicated teacher and touched many of her students’ lives. After her retirement, Paula went to Chenley, Ariz., and taught the Native American children on the reservation for two months.
On Nov. 7, 1987, Paula married the love of her life, Sal DeDominicis. She always loved to travel and she and Sal traveled abroad and to numerous states, enjoying each of their adventures together. Throughout her life she loved dancing and pursued her passions for ballroom dancing. Paula and Sal spent their winters at Marco Island and Venice, Fla., but of all the places they traveled Popham Beach, Maine, was by far Paula’s favorite place where she found peace and serenity.
After retiring, Paula and Sal spent their summers in Maine to be closer to her sister and brother-in-law, June and Skip, and their friends in Maine. Christmases were special when they spent the holiday with June and Skip as Skip would cook her favorites, especially Maine blueberry pie.
Paula always looked forward to family gatherings with Sal’s family. Paula was faithful member of Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield where she taught religious classes and served as a lector.
Paula was predeceased by her parents, both sets of grandparents and several aunts and uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Sal; her dearest sister, June and brother-in-law Skip, of Maine; aunts, May of New Hampshire, Jeannette and husband Clarence of Texas, Ellie Duquette of Maine and Nancy Duquette of Ohio; her brothers-in-law and sisters in-law, Rosemary and husband George Blesso, Joan and husband Joe Scata and Lorraine DeDominicis, all of Connecticut, Victor and wife Sheila of Florida, and John and wife Carol of Connecticut, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow St., in Simsbury, Conn., on Monday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., in Bloomfield, Conn. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 718, Old Mystic, CT 06372.
Please visit Paula’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.
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