Obituary for Paula Ann Boyer (Duda)
SARATOGA SPRINGS Paula Ann Boyer passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 surrounded by her family. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, she joins in heaven her parents Mary Priscilla and Bernard Anthony Duda, her precious grandmother Hazel Gibbs Dingley (Mim), and her sweet and tenderly loved son, Joseph, who was sadly born sleeping.
Born February 19, 1956, in Cohoes, New York, Paula resided in Saratoga Springs, New York. She graduated from Cohoes High School and Hudson Valley Community College. Paula worked as a dental hygienist for more than 15 years before transitioning into the classroom, where she supported children with disabilities for 20 years in the Saratoga Springs City School District. She retired in 2020.
Paula lived a life in God's grace. The Sisters of Mercy at St. Agnes played a large role that shaped her from a young girl into a woman of deep faith. Paula dedicated herself to others, especially those in need, and she instilled this loving dedication to her daughters. Devout in her faith, Paula spent her life serving the Lord as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and religious education teacher. Being a member of the Catholic Daughters of America brought her friendships, community, and a devotion to our Blessed Lady. Paula also spent many years as a hospice volunteer, always receiving more from her service than she gave.
In 1981, Paula married her life's great love. George was the boy who lived down the street; who she longed to sit next to in the fifth grade. Filled with stolen kisses in the kitchen and hand holding in the car, Paula and George's love was their own fairytale. They loved to camp, canoe, and spend fall afternoons together at the beach of Moreau Lake State Park. They’d spend hours sitting in the sun enjoying each other's conversation and company. They loved Neil Young, Christmastime in Lake Placid, and homemade Valentine's Day Cards.
Paula will forever be remembered for her big heart and generosity. She often woke early to bake for a coworker’s birthday. She loved to garden in the morning, especially when it was sprinkling. When winter or bad weather was upon us, Paula and her cousin and friend Janice spent hours together quilting keepsakes for loved ones. Quilting was a passion and labor of her love. The very first quilt Paula made was for her sister, Pam, while the most recent was for her niece, MaryTherese.
She was a tremendous mother, always encouraging her girls to be their very best and was never bashful in expressing her love. She was at every race and soccer game with her cowbell in hand. She was warm, inviting, and always ready to listen - the coffee pot was always on. She loved giving, and enjoyed Christmas morning more than the kids. She sewed every Halloween costume and baked every birthday cake from scratch. If you asked for a dollar, she’d give you 20, often telling her daughters: “Sometimes it’s just nice to be nice to people.”
A loving wife and mother, Paula’s pride and joy was her family. In addition to her husband George, left mourning are Paula’s three daughters, Allison (Evan Zmarthie) of Syracuse, New York, Mary Katharine (Travis Zahradka) of Pownal, Maine , and soon to be Dr. Elizabeth (Evan Hogan) of Saratoga Springs New York. She relished her role as Mim, just as her own Mim did, to Evelynn and Jack, Georgia and Marin. Paula also leaves behind her sister Pam (Jack Roddy), who was the Martha to her Mary. They had a devotion to each other that was indescribable in magnitude. Paula had a large family, all of whom will greatly miss her, including her dedicated and adored brother Carl (Kathleen Duda), cousin Melissa Iveson, and sister-in-law Linda (Robert Hough), and many nieces and nephews. Paula’s family is extended beyond relatives and includes many friends who were near and dear to her, especially Nancy (John Mangona). Their friendship was based in honesty, belly laughs, and hours of antiquing. Not to be forgotten is Paula and George’s dog Jerry, who faithfully remained at her side every day.
Paula felt great gratitude to her team of doctors, nurses and staff at Dr. John Delmonte’s office, who gave her the most precious gift of time. Without them, Paula wouldn’t have had the past year, which she and her family cherished deeply. She fought until her very last breath to be with her family, exuding her faith, optimism, and bravery.
In lieu of flowers, Paula would be eternally grateful if a donation would be made instead, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the March of Dimes. A funeral mass will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at St. Peters Catholic Church, Saratoga Springs.
Paula, Paulie, Mom, Mim, you will be forever missed and always loved. We will be watching for cardinals.
Born February 19, 1956, in Cohoes, New York, Paula resided in Saratoga Springs, New York. She graduated from Cohoes High School and Hudson Valley Community College. Paula worked as a dental hygienist for more than 15 years before transitioning into the classroom, where she supported children with disabilities for 20 years in the Saratoga Springs City School District. She retired in 2020.
Paula lived a life in God's grace. The Sisters of Mercy at St. Agnes played a large role that shaped her from a young girl into a woman of deep faith. Paula dedicated herself to others, especially those in need, and she instilled this loving dedication to her daughters. Devout in her faith, Paula spent her life serving the Lord as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and religious education teacher. Being a member of the Catholic Daughters of America brought her friendships, community, and a devotion to our Blessed Lady. Paula also spent many years as a hospice volunteer, always receiving more from her service than she gave.
In 1981, Paula married her life's great love. George was the boy who lived down the street; who she longed to sit next to in the fifth grade. Filled with stolen kisses in the kitchen and hand holding in the car, Paula and George's love was their own fairytale. They loved to camp, canoe, and spend fall afternoons together at the beach of Moreau Lake State Park. They’d spend hours sitting in the sun enjoying each other's conversation and company. They loved Neil Young, Christmastime in Lake Placid, and homemade Valentine's Day Cards.
Paula will forever be remembered for her big heart and generosity. She often woke early to bake for a coworker’s birthday. She loved to garden in the morning, especially when it was sprinkling. When winter or bad weather was upon us, Paula and her cousin and friend Janice spent hours together quilting keepsakes for loved ones. Quilting was a passion and labor of her love. The very first quilt Paula made was for her sister, Pam, while the most recent was for her niece, MaryTherese.
She was a tremendous mother, always encouraging her girls to be their very best and was never bashful in expressing her love. She was at every race and soccer game with her cowbell in hand. She was warm, inviting, and always ready to listen - the coffee pot was always on. She loved giving, and enjoyed Christmas morning more than the kids. She sewed every Halloween costume and baked every birthday cake from scratch. If you asked for a dollar, she’d give you 20, often telling her daughters: “Sometimes it’s just nice to be nice to people.”
A loving wife and mother, Paula’s pride and joy was her family. In addition to her husband George, left mourning are Paula’s three daughters, Allison (Evan Zmarthie) of Syracuse, New York, Mary Katharine (Travis Zahradka) of Pownal, Maine , and soon to be Dr. Elizabeth (Evan Hogan) of Saratoga Springs New York. She relished her role as Mim, just as her own Mim did, to Evelynn and Jack, Georgia and Marin. Paula also leaves behind her sister Pam (Jack Roddy), who was the Martha to her Mary. They had a devotion to each other that was indescribable in magnitude. Paula had a large family, all of whom will greatly miss her, including her dedicated and adored brother Carl (Kathleen Duda), cousin Melissa Iveson, and sister-in-law Linda (Robert Hough), and many nieces and nephews. Paula’s family is extended beyond relatives and includes many friends who were near and dear to her, especially Nancy (John Mangona). Their friendship was based in honesty, belly laughs, and hours of antiquing. Not to be forgotten is Paula and George’s dog Jerry, who faithfully remained at her side every day.
Paula felt great gratitude to her team of doctors, nurses and staff at Dr. John Delmonte’s office, who gave her the most precious gift of time. Without them, Paula wouldn’t have had the past year, which she and her family cherished deeply. She fought until her very last breath to be with her family, exuding her faith, optimism, and bravery.
In lieu of flowers, Paula would be eternally grateful if a donation would be made instead, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the March of Dimes. A funeral mass will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at St. Peters Catholic Church, Saratoga Springs.
Paula, Paulie, Mom, Mim, you will be forever missed and always loved. We will be watching for cardinals.