Fernande "Fern" Paradis

MOUNT DORA, Fla. - Fernande "Fern" Paradis, 86, of Mount Dora, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
She was born Marie Fernande Boulanger on Aug. 17, 1921, in Wotton, Canada, one of 10 children of Gamelice Boulanger and Rose-Aimee (Belanger) Boulanger.
As a young woman of 16, Fern went to Montreal to make her mark, initially working in a convent, then in a private household. She had a tenacious work ethic and would work by day and started taking classes in the evening to become a beautician. Within a few years, she graduated from the beautician school and opened her own salon in Montreal with her sister, Simone, working by her side. Her skills as coiffeur would serve her well many times over during her lifetime, giving her the ability to bring in income during difficult times.
Around 1949, she began dating a dashing young man, Evon Louis Paradis, and they sealed their attraction for each other on July 8, 1950. In keeping with the "then" tradition and spirit of Catholicism, they began a family of their own, having five children - Martha in 1951, Robert in 1952, Richard in 1954, Louis Junior in 1955 and Alain in 1957.
In 1961, her husband received an opportunity to move to the United States to work with an engineering firm, so at age 39, Fern put her five children on a bus and followed her husband to a small town in central Pennsylvania called Selinsgrove to begin her new life. Here, she would learn the language and join a small Catholic church called St. Pius X.
Surviving are three sons, Richard H. Paradis, Louis J. Paradis and Alain A. Paradis; one daughter, Martha B. Haagen; one brother, Paul Boulanger; one sister, Rita Paquin; 11 grandchildren, Robert Wert, Jennifer Wert, Jonathan Tressler, Nathan Paradis, Ryan Paradis, Scott Haagen, Mark Haagen, Dana Haagen, Daniel Haagen, Christiana Paradis and Casey Paradis; and four great-grandchildren, Christiana Haagen, Adrian Haagen, Christa Haagen and Garret Paradis.
Fern was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Robert L. Paradis; and seven brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Pius X Church, 112 Fairview Drive, Selinsgrove.
Fern loved fresh flowers, and arrangements will be accepted for the service at the church. Those preferring to make a contribution in Fern's memory may do so to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778, or to the City of Eustis, Senior Center, c/o Richard H. Paradis.
Arrangements are by the Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, 1800 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora.