Paula Maguire Duncan M.D.

My final story about Paula dates back to when she was 12 and I was 13 in 1959 (See the two photos of her school (Vincentian Institute or "VI") and mine (The Albany Academy for Boys) in Albany. Again, this demonstrated Paula's compassion to make this a better world and I was of like mind, another reason why we were very close friends from the start. So, Paula invited me to a 6th grade dance in the VI gymnasium on a Saturday night. The boys were expected to wear coats and ties, while the...

I have just remembered a story about Paula and myself (a.k.a. "The Dennis the Menace of Euclid Avenue") that will demonstrate one of Paula's strongest virtues. One day we were playing on the sidewalk in front of the Maguire's house and though it was a pleasant summer's day, it was kind of boring for me. And then I had an idea to have some fun. I said to Paula "Hey, let's put a big rock down Mr. Minor's basement oil storage tank pipe (For heating).

Paula wasn't very keen on the...

As I explained in my original obituary, we children on Euclid Avenue were like a family of our own. And one of our favorite pastimes was feeding sugar cubes to the horses drawing the milkman and the bakery man. Because I lived on the corner of Euclid, I was usually the first to know if either the milk man or the bakery man was about to round the corner onto Euclid Avenue. My mother would put a hand sign in the window for either deliveryman, so that he would stop and ask what she would like...

I grew-up on Euclid Avenue in Albany, NY, just 4 houses from the Maguire's home. Paula and I were great friends as was the same with Jane (Janie then). My nickname was Rickey: I was the "Dennis The Menace" of Euclid Avenue. Paula's photo is who she has always been: compassionate, smart, full of life. We neighborhood children mostly played together and the front, enclosed porch of the Maguire's house was our favorite place to meet and play. I was the only boy, so when Paula would announce...

I am so saddened to learn - long after the event - that Paula is gone. Hard to believe she is not still moving through the world radiating her unique combination of competence and warmth. We only spoke every few years, and because we are on opposite ends of the country it had been well more than a decade since I saw her in person here in California. But she was always vibrantly alive way off in Vermont in my world view. What a great loss. My thoughts go out to Jim and her beloved kids who...

I have not seen Paula in probably 25 years, yet in my mind I can easily see her beautiful smile and hear her contagious laugh. I learned so much from her about listening , empathy , concern as well as levity when with a patient, but most of all I remember the fun we had together, both at work and with friends. Although she died much to soon, Paula packed so much into her 70 years, more than most of us could do in two lifetimes and with her accomplishments and her children has left the world...

I will always remember Paula as a compassionate, caring, and lovely woman. As part of the "University Pediatrics" team, I was lucky enough to call her my doctor. Memories of her long lasting friendship with my mom, Kathy Blum, and all of the staff at UPeds, provide comfort to me.

Paula made an immeasurable contribution to the health and wellbeing of children, not only in Vermont, but nationwide. As a child welfare professional, I so much appreciate her focus on the whole child. What a pleasure it was to encounter Jim and Paula on a country road in Grand Isle some months back, and to connect for what turned out to be one last time. Take good care.