BIDDEFORD — Paula B. Sirois, 57. The sunshine of our lives, Paula Bernadette Sirois died in her home on July 29, 2016 with loving family and staff by her side. She was a treasure and joy to all who knew her.
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| Paula B. Sirois |
Paula (Sweet P) was born on August 28,1958 – the eleventh of twelve children of Germaine (Ayotte) and Lewis Sirois of Caribou, Maine. Paula was born with Down’s Syndrome but she never considered herself handicapped. She not only epitomized the best of Down’s characteristics – a cheerful nature, loving heart, and an infectious sense of humor – but she was also fiercely independent, smart, adventurous, incredibly social and spirited.
When Paula was only six her mother had the foresight to enroll her in a school for the developmentally disabled. It was then the family was asked to stop speaking French at home so English could be her primary language to help her flourish in the school’s programs. In her early twenties, Paula let it be known she was ready for a more independent life so she moved into what would be the first of three group homes – initially in Newburgh, then Westbrook and for the last 11+ years in Biddeford, in a home that she insisted was not a group home, but “MY home”. During those years Paula participated in a variety of programs, activities and work. She was a client of Creative Work Services (CWS) who operate residences and programs for the developmentally disabled. The CWS staff and clients became her second family. She was especially happy at her CWS home in Biddeford where the philosophy is to promote maximum independence for residents. Paula blossomed there participating in all aspects of maintaining her household – doing laundry, meal planning and prep, housekeeping, yard work and sharing her home with her two housemates. Paula adored her devoted home staff – Sue, Sam, Melissa, Amanda, Cinnamon and Becca. She loved, learned and benefited from each of them.
Paula was curious, loved learning new things and meeting new people. She always found a way to signal when she was ready for a new challenge or chapter in her life. And every time the bar was raised, she seized the opportunity and quickly rose to the occasion. She took great pride in earning a weekly paycheck. Through a CWS employment program, she worked in the Unum mailroom for over ten years. She was one of their most productive workers and was always eager to share her weekly accomplishments there. She also enjoyed her independent living programs – learning to cook, watching and discussing the news, volunteering for Meals on Wheels and food shopping for shut-ins. She was also a devoted fan of “her shows” – Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Her most creative activity was her art. She worked in a variety of media – creating numerous paintings, wood sculptures, ceramics and textile art. One of her paintings once hung as part of an exhibit for Very Special Arts Maine in the Portland Museum of Art
She loved playing cards and was a whiz at Solitaire, Uno and Go Fish. She loved telling knock-knock jokes and relished teasing those around her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious smile that would put a twinkle in her eyes. She was the best hugger. Nothing delighted her more than having a date with one of her sisters to go out to eat.
Her real passion was music. She had eclectic musical tastes and a wide collection of music. She loved Shania Twain, the Beatles, Dolly Parton, John Denver. The song she wanted played continuously during her final months was LoveShack by the B52’s. And she loved to perform. She could pantomime many songs and was on cloud nine when sister Elaine sent her a long dark wig and microphone so she could sing Shania’s “Man I feel Like a Woman” at family gatherings. And she really loved to dance. It didn’t take long when she met someone new to dance right into their hearts.
The center of Paula’s universe was her family. She loved her siblings fiercely – especially her sisters. She was never happier than when she was with them.
She delighted in overnight stays, outings and visits with her sisters Joyce and Karen. She loved getting cards from all of her siblings but she especially relished getting phone calls, cards and packages from sisters Elaine and Gay whose distance limited their visits. Joyce was her closest “girlfriend” and Karen was her caregiver and “mom”. Her room was filled with photos of her brothers and sisters and at the end of her life she was often seen embracing one of those photographs while kissing each member softly.
She was predeceased many years ago by her mother and father and by her brother Clayton. Her life since her teens was under the loving care of her sister and guardian Karen, with immense support from her husband David and also in recent years from sister Joyce.
She is survived by her sisters: Joyce Sirois Poulin of Yarmouth, ME; Linda Dumeer and Wes of Ocala FL; Elaine Sirois Lucha and Carlos of San Fransisco CA; Karen Haskell and David of Portland, ME; and Gay Sirois and Todd Roberts of Aurora, CO.
She is also survived by brothers Gerry Sirois of East Hampton, CT; Gary Sirois and Linda of Fort Fairfield, ME; Lewis Sirois and Gloria of Ellsworth, ME and Leigh and Eileen Sirois of Tallahassee, FL. In addition she leaves behind her special Aunt Marie Belanger, her very special niece Sherrie Lynn Davenport and numerous other nieces and nephews. Paula will also be sadly missed by very special friends Joan Dow and Jamie & Tim Marr who have loved Paula and been involved in her life for many years. Paula brought joy beyond measure to all who knew her.
The family would like to express its most heartfelt gratitude to the wonderfully caring staff at her home who excelled in their duties and were committed to keeping her in her home until she passed. And also to her very skilled and caring team from Hospice of Southern Maine who were engaged when Alzheimer’s began to take its final toll. Both provided all of the care and emotional support needed to help her live her final days and weeks comfortably and peacefully.
There will be no calling hours or funeral at this time. A celebration of Paula’s Extraordinary life will be held on her 58th birthday on August 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Ramada at 352 North Street, Saco. Family and friends are invited to join us then to share memories and stories, and to enjoy Paula’s favorite music, foods and to view her art.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Paula’s memory to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to Creative Work Systems, 619 Brighton Avenue, Portland 04102.
