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Paula Fink Obituary
January 12, 1945 - May 31, 2016
Paula Louise Fink (Gammell), beloved mom and grandma, passed away on May 31, 2016 in Palm Desert, CA after a valiant battle with cancer.
Born on January 12, 1945 in Red Oak, IA to Paul and Mildred Gammell, Paula had a dynamic personality that left a lasting impression on everyone she met and would fill a room with smiles and laughter.
She graduated from Griswold High School and went on to Bishop Clarkson Memorial School of Nursing in Omaha. It was at Bishop Clarkson where she met the love of her life, Dr. Donald Fink. They married in January 1970, and moved to California where Paula and Don gave their three daughters the best childhoods any kids could wish for. With the support and guidance of Paula and Don, they all grew to be strong and successful women.
Paula epitomized beauty and class in every aspect of her life. She loved her books, Fox News, Internet shopping, and was an avid sports fan. With Don as the Oakland Raiders team doctor in 1977, Paula thought nothing could top the thrill of being with the team during their Super Bowl XI win, until her grandson Dillon was born in 2005, and she became his super-fan. A devoted grandmother, Paula traveled frequently to enthusiastically cheer on her grandson in baseball and basketball (and helpfully correct missed calls by umpires and referees).
Paula was preceded in death by her husband Don. She is survived by daughters Nicole McCleskey of Albuquerque, Danielle Fink of Palm Desert, and Dr. Suzette Bryan of Portland; sons-in-law Jay McCleskey, Rich Kendzierski, and Mike Bryan; and grandson Dillon McCleskey.
A private memorial will be held in Palm Desert, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Lobos vs. Cancer at UNM (www.unmfund.org/fund/lobos-vs-cancer/), as Paula and her family are grateful for the compassionate care she received at University Hospital in Albuquerque.
Paula brought tremendous joy to our lives and will remain in our hearts forever.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit desertsun.com/obituaries.
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Barbara and Stu Tippett
June 8, 2016
Remembering her as a great neighbor and friend
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