Paula Joyce Aubrey (Hastings)'s Obituary
Paula Joyce Aubrey (Hastings) 85 of Tacoma, Washington passed away on July 28, 2023. Paula was born August 24, 1937 in Carlsbad NM daughter of Wallace and Margaret Hastings she lived her early years in Southeastern NM. When she was seven, the family moved to Billings, MT during WWII when her father Wallace took a job with Conoco to work in a new oil refinery. She attended Billings Senior High School graduating in 1955, then went off to college in Missoula, MT. There she met and married Nile Aubrey while in school. They both graduated from the University of Montana, and when Nile completed law school, he served in the U.S. Army which took them to both Texas and eventually Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA.
After Nile separated from the service, the family moved to a home on Pearl Street near TCC where daughter Cheryl was born. In 1962, they moved to a home on Skyline Dr. where son Steve was born in 1964. The marriage ended in 1969, and Cheryl, who was handicapped, passed away in 1971. Yet Paula moved forward as a single mom in the 70's to raise Steve who graduated from Wilson H.S. in 1982 and went to college in Colorado, then serviced as an Air Force Officer.
Over the years in Tacoma, Paula worked for a number of companies including an insurance firm, UPS Law School, Tacoma General Hospital, and eventually Multi Care Health System. While with Multi Care, Paula became the first employee in a new clinic in Gig Harbor which became the Multi Care Gig Harbor Medical Park, and where she eventually retired from.
Also, during her years in Tacoma, Paula was active with her friends, the neighborhood on Skyline, social causes, church, and helping raise Steve as a single mom. Paula attended and was an active member of the Fircrest United Methodist church for 35-40 years. She volunteered with the March of Dimes non-profit health organization, and sold Vanda beauty care products. She supported Steve in kids' sports teams, family pets, Cub Scouts, Big Brothers, numerous school activities, and Civil Air Patrol. Paula enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors, often attending gatherings at church, friends homes, and having visitors to the house. Although separated by two states, Paula remained close to her parents, exchanging holidays and summer trips to Montana and them visiting Tacoma.
Those who knew Paula will recall her working hard to be a good mother, to provide for she and Steve, being sociable and active with her church and circle of friends. Paula was one to send cards to friends and family, care packages to Steve in college and Europe, and had a spirit of giving gifts to others. She enjoyed her yard and having a patio full of flowers. Her parents got her started on having clutch of teddy bears in the house that grew to multiple dozens. In the years after Steve returned from Europe and married his wife Sandie, Paula regularly visited them and Sandie's family in Bellevue/Eastside, and found great joy in having a grandson Jonathan and being a grandmother.
In her later years, Paula developed some personal and behavioral challenges. While still involved in church, she was more reclusive and welcomed fewer people to her home. In 2013, Steve and other close friends from the church helped transition her to a new phase or life at The Weatherly Inn assisted living center on Pearl Street in Tacoma.
The change gave Paula a new lease on life where she was able to enjoy community living and visitors. In 2015, she transitioned to Memory Care and began a slow decline due to effects of Dementia. Although guests were fewer, she was able to enjoy company of family, fellow residents and care givers, and received visits by Pastor Dan from Fircrest United Methodist. The Lord in his gracious mercy brought Paula home to heaven on July 28, 2023 after a full life of almost 86 years. Paula is survived by son Steve, daughter-in-law Sandie, and grandson Jonathan, and extended family in Texas and Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, individuals may make memorial gifts in Paula Aubrey’s name to “Clothing Closet” or other ministries of Fircrest United Methodist Church.
Main Website: www.fircrestumc.org
Helps Ministries: www.fircrestumc.org/help.html (includes Clothing Closet )
Giving: www.fircrestumc.org/give.html
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