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Paula Natalie Adriance
Paula Natalie Adriance
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Paula Adriance Obituary
Paula was an educational leader in the state of New Hampshire. She served on Gov. Jeanne Shaheen's educational adequacy committee and was a school board member in the Inter-Lakes School District for 21 years, for 18 of which she served as chair. She was selected as New Hampshire School Board Member of the Year in 1990. She also served as president of the New Hampshire School Boards Association twice. As a member of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, she frequently taught workshops to other school boards.
Paula served the community as an English teacher in the Inter-Lakes District, at Plymouth Regional High School, and most recently at Prospect Mountain High School in Alton. She was nominated for teacher of the year several times. While teaching at Prospect Mountain High School she also served as curriculum coordinator, adviser to the National Honor Society, and chair of the Instruction Committee. She will be greatly missed by her students and colleagues.
She also served on the board of the New Hampshire Municipal Association Health Insurance Trust from 2002-2003.
Paula was a graduate of Belknap College in Center Harbor, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. In addition, she held a Masters of Education Law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, which she received in 2001.
She was an avid SCUBA diver, and was certified as an instructor, enjoying deep wreck diving along the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. She was also a regular fixture at the Fitness Edge in Meredith, where she enjoyed training and pumping iron.
Paula was born in Boston on June 15, 1947, and was the daughter of Julian and Edna Richmond. She was the wife of Edwin (Ted) L. Adriance, and mother of Vanessa C. Adriance, an attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Los Angeles. Other survivors include two brothers, Phillip and Peter Richmond.
A memorial service is tentatively planned for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2007, at 2 p.m. in the Sandwich Central School gymnasium. Private burial was held in the Quaker Cemetery, in North Sandwich.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Paula N. Adriance Scholarship Fund would be welcome. Donations may be directed to Meredith Village Savings Bank, Rte. 25, Meredith, NH 03253. This fund will provide a scholarship to a student at Prospect Mountain High School who wishes to pursue a career related to the English language or literature such as writing or teaching.
The Mayhew Funeral Home, in Meredith and Plymouth, assisted with the arrangements.
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24 Entries
Chris Frye
April 4, 2024
I was just thinking about the most impactful teachers in my career and the qualities they brought to their craft. She had high standards and everyone´s best interest at heart. Her encouragement and effort propelled students to exceed their expectations and raise their own bar. I thank her and think fondly of her and how I have tried to adopt and apply some of her philosophy and enthusiasm for my own teaching as a college professor. Missing you and saw these memories.
Travis Clyons
December 1, 2007
Mrs. Adriance was the best English teacher I had at Plymouth High School. She helped me become the writer I am today and she is one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in English Education. Thank you Mrs. Adriance.
Nik Frye
December 1, 2007
What an outstanding person, I am saddened to hear about Mrs. Adriance's death. She wrote for me the recommendation that got me into college, and taught me how to write formally. She also brought a unique sense of humor and intellectual wit to the classroom that made every English discussion fun and fruitful. And, when I came back to visit her classroom after college, she welcomed me into discussion with open arms, literally! What a terrific person, I'll miss her.
Juli Minnick
November 26, 2007
Mrs. Adriance taught me so much about myself, and to see that she has passed has shocked me. She was a wonderful person who always had something wise to say to those who needed it such as me. She will be missed.
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Billy Sargent
November 24, 2007
I sing to know she's found peace in the clearing at the end of the path. In Plymouth her's was the only non-music class I earned "A" in- my best friend Charlie Sawyer & I enjoyed her class immensely & had a grade competition going. We've remembered her whenever we gather these past decades. I sympathize with your loss, my mother passed in '04 & remember well what you're going through. Now as then I wonder why the best of us are gone too soon & I remeber what I settled on then; I'll never know the why, but I'll always be grateful for the strength & happiness that graced my life because of them, & I'm grateful they're beyond the touch of pain & sorrow.
Kelsey Moore
November 23, 2007
Mrs. Adriance was by far one of the best teachers, and best People I ever got the chance to meet. She was always someone I could go to, someone my whole english class could go to, and I'm sure everyone in last year's AP english class has many fond memories of her and the things she did for us. She gave me the courage to give a speech, and the knowledge and skills to write and be proud of my work. I wish I had, had the chance to tell her how much everything she did for us last year meant to everyone.
Judith Orth, RN
November 22, 2007
Paula was my junior high and high school English teacher at Inter-lakes in the 1970's. She wrote my recommendation for Stanford University. She was one of the most important and influential teachers I had, surpassing most of the ones I had at Stanford. She taught me grammar, usage and the art of writing. I loved her and I will miss her deeply. Ted and Vanessa, you are in my prayers.
John Carrigg
November 20, 2007
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Paula's passing.
She and I shared many a pizza supper in the Humiston building while serving on the Inter-Lakes School Board. Her contribution to the Inter-Lakes school district was immersureable.I will miss her and her wide brimmed hats she wore at ILHS graduations. The last time I saw Paula she gave me a hug while standing in the checkout line at Shaw's in Gilford. We should all do more of that.
Ann Mlcuch
November 19, 2007
To Ted and Vanessa: I was shocked and sadden to hear the news about Paula.We worked together at Inter-Lakes and she was a terrific teacher and friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Noelle Beinish
November 17, 2007
To Ted and Vanesa,
May these thoughts and memories nourish your grieving hearts. She has left a special "footprint" in all of our lives.
My prayers are with you.
Crystal Emery
November 16, 2007
I just wanted to say Im sorry for the lost of Mrs. Adriance, I will miss her so much. It was hard when I heard that she died. She will be missed.
Kathy Fuller
November 16, 2007
You will be missed, dear friend.
You have given so much to the children of NH. Thank you.Your legacy is great...
Steve & Edie Miller
November 14, 2007
To Paula's family,
We share your grief and please accept our most sincerest condolences. Paula was a very special lady.She took our son's Aaron and Danny and was instrumental in getting Aaron accepted to UCF and Danny to Brewster. It is with her critical help that they both have achieved the school of their choice. We enjoyed sharing the Jewish holidays, roast beef, latkas, and kasha varnishkas together. She enriched our lives and set the educational bar for our boys.
Becca Golden-Furmanick
November 14, 2007
Although I was certainly not known as anything recognizable in school, Mrs. Adriance never failed to teach and show me that I was something more than a grade on a paper, or a name in a book. The important skills she taught us not just of school but of life, are sure to be carried with us as she is quite unforgettable. To her family, I'm sorry for such a loss, but the short time I had with her in my high school years was such a gift. Mrs. Adriance is not only survived by her brothers, but by the students she touched and the people she helped. We all miss you.
Mary Tetreau
November 14, 2007
As the parent of three PMHS students (our oldest graduated in 2007), I was saddened by the passing of this wonderful teacher and great lady. My sympathies to her family, friends, and students -she will be greatly missed. I challenge all of the students at Prospect Mountain to live up to the standards Mrs. Adriance set for you; they are no more stringent than those she set for herself. Godspeed.
Florence Henderson
November 14, 2007
May it comfort you in some way to know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of others.
I have fond memories of Paula from Belknap College. Please know that you have my sincest sympathy.
Karen Koch
November 14, 2007
Paula was just such a great person to work with. She always thanked me for being so patient with her and her requests. I felt like she was patient with waiting while I sometimes had to find the answer. She was truly a "classy" lady, as I like to say. She did everything to the fullest. There was no half way for Paula. I will really miss her and wish your family the best as you make it through this very challenging time.
ashley finethy
November 13, 2007
She was not only my favortie teacher, but a role model and mentor. She guided me through high school and was my greatest influince when deciding to work with the English language as a career. I was fortunate enough to have been her student and a member of National Honor Society for two years. She taught me so much about life and myself. Though she was my teacher I have grown to know her family through stories from class and was truly able to experience what a wonderful woman she was. There were never enough hours in the day, even when she woke up at three to go work out. I was very fortunate to have had her as a teacher and and advisor.
Bill McGrew
November 13, 2007
I already miss Paula’s boundless energy, conviction, and leadership. She was a “teacher’s teacher” in both word and action. Her students were challenged by the highest academic standards and rewarded with knowing that they had achieved new levels of accomplishment that they could not have dreamed possible. Students loved her for her enthusiasm for literature, writing, and demand for improvement. Faculty respected her for her principles and integrity. I am proud to have known her as a friend and colleague.
Please accept my deepest sympathy,
Bill “Doc” McGrew
Chemistry Teacher
Prospect Mountain High School
Linda Clevesy
November 13, 2007
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Adriance. My daughter was her student at PMHS and we will remember her for her committment to education and her passion for teaching.
Many Blessings,
The Clevesy Family
Scott Hutchins
November 13, 2007
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Connie Brown
November 13, 2007
To the friends and family of a wonderful lady:
You are among my greatest mentors. I owe much of my professional success to your belief that a young woman could be successful in a man's world.
I'm deeply saddened by your passing.
Educationally Yours,
Connie Primiano Brown
Former Superintendent of Schools, SAU #2
Joyce Hopper
November 13, 2007
In life sometimes you meet a person that reminds you how blessed you are to be alive. Paula was one of those people - she lived life to the fullest, gave her heart and soul to her family, friends and students. We will miss her so very much, and will always be thankfull for the opportunity of knowing her and being able to call her our friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Joyce Hopper and family (Terese, Travis, Logan and Kelsey)
Kathy O'Blenes
November 13, 2007
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
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