Paula Jean Reid

10/17/1945 - 11/14/2025

Mystic - Paula Jean (Aiello) Reid, 80, of Mystic, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at Avalon Health Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Paula was born in Westerly, R.I., Oct. 17, 1945, to Natale and Mary Piccolo Aiello. She grew up in Bradford, R.I., and graduated from Westerly High School, Class of 1963, and she attended Bryant College.

In October of 1964, she married Kenneth Reid of Mystic, where they made their home. For many years, she was a waitress at Mary's Restaurant in Bradford, R.I. where she enjoyed working with her family and waiting on many of her regular customers. She eventually retired from the human resources department of the Mystic Aquarium, where she enjoyed working with her fellow employees.

Paula was known for great summer picnics, especially after the Memorial Day parade. She cooked great Italian dishes, always cooking far too much and then sending family and friends home with the delicious leftovers. She was also rather famous for her incredible chocolate chip cookies that she made for family, friends and for her sons' and grandsons' sports teams.

In her retirement, she was a driver for cancer patients that needed rides to medical appointments. She also loved spending time at the Westerly beaches.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Avalon for the care and comfort extended to Paula during her lengthy stay there.

Paula is survived by her husband, Kenneth; two sons, Brian (Lisa) of Stonington and Joel (Nikki) of Mystic; and three grandchildren, Julia of Groton, Nicholas of Pawcatuck, and Kenneth of Reno, Nev. She is also survived by two siblings, Eugene Aiello of Westerly and Lorraine Aiello Taylor (Todd) of Bradford; sister-in-law Kathleen Reid Hantman (Ronald) of Mystic; and many nieces and nephews.

Per Paula's wishes, there are no calling hours. A graveside burial at Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic will be private. The Mystic Funeral Home is handling Paula's arrangements.