Paula A Powell

Paula Powell was my best friend through most of my years in Sharon. I met Paula when we were about ten and she approached me as we were walking home from school. I was very shy and would not have approached her. Here was this boisterous, smiling, friendly girl talking to me! She saved me in a way. I was attracted to Paula right away because of her outgoing personality and her genuine warmth. She wasn't afraid of anything and somehow I felt more confident with her. We would walk for miles in Sharon, usually barefoot, all over town, into the woods, always looking for an adventure. We went to see the Beatles together! (thanks to my mom). And we saw the Doors! The Doors were playing at the hotel Paula's dad managed and he saved seats for us right up front. Imagine two 16 year olds watching Jim Morrison! Needless to say we were thrilled. We also saw a British Invasion show with all the popular British and Motown groups. We both loved music and spent a lot of time listening to records and Paula loved to sing. She would put on her favorite Liza Minnelli record and just belt out those songs! I was in awe of this being so self conscious, whereas Paula did not have a self conscious bone in her body. She was a very positive, happy young girl who just swept you up into her adventurous spirit, never moody or grumpy. I just loved her.
In high school we went through the "hippie" phase together. This was '67 '68 when it was all just starting and we decided we had to get some bell bottom jeans but they were nowhere to be found. Paula's dad suggested we go to the Army Navy store in Boston and off we went! We bought the smallest Navy bell bottoms we could find and my mom helped us alter them to fit us. We were the first in our high school to wear bell bottom jeans, army jackets and other hippie related outfits. We weren't cool or popular and didn't have a social group and I suppose we expressed our independence this way. There was a certain thrill in being a non-conformist. At least that's how we felt at the time.
I learned a lot from Paula. She was always very independent and, more importantly, she really didn't care what other people thought of her. She was her own person. Paula's attitude had a very healthy effect on me. She was a warm, loving and very loyal friend and always tried to see the good in people. I will always treasure the friendship I had with Paula and I regret that I missed my chance to talk to her again. I loved reading about her life and her accomplishments and seeing the pictures of Paula and her beautiful family and friends.
I send my deepest condolences to her lovely family who I remember so well and I know Paula's beautiful spirit is out there smiling down on all of us.

Wonderful lady. Always a pleasant smile and kind words to say. She loved her kids and grandkids. Gone too soon. She will be missed dearly by them. Rest In Peace.