To Paula's daughter Brooke and grandchildren Brittney and Marshall, and to her siblings Lucky, Connie, Vicki, Robbie, Larry, Barry, Danny, Penny - I'm devastated to learn of Paula's death. We cousins were like siblings growing up and it hurts that yet another member of our family is no longer with us. Paula and I lived together here in Sierra Vista in the early 1980s when Brooke was just a young child. When I married Rick in 1981, I moved out of our shared home, and I believe Paula and Brooke then moved to an apartment in lower Huachuca City before finally settling into the home that her mom and Jim sold to her on Navajo St. When the Beale's store that Paula was managing closed down, she was offered a position in Alabama (say WHAT???) and she took it (say WHAT again???). Or maybe she moved there because Brooke and her then-husband were there. Or maybe they joined her there. (I'm getting older and the CRS syndrome is upon me). Aunt Joan moved in with Paula in Alabama at some point, but then became homesick for AZ so she moved back here. She asked me if I could drive her car back to AZ, and I agreed. I stayed a few days with Paula in her beautiful new home. Then Paula decided she was going to move to NY (say WHAT???). And she did. She and Brooke were tight, so Brooke, on the verge of divorce anyhow, packed up herself and with her two kids joined her mom in NY. Once Paula moved from AZ, I didn't see her often. When I retired in 2008 and was a single woman, I would take a couple of trips a year back to NY. I tried to time it so I could hit all of my family reunions. Outside of the reunion times, I would visit with both Connie and Paula. Paula and my sister Gwen (RIP) were very close in age and spent a lot of time together. They're both older than I am, and Paula, in addition to being my cousin, was also like a big sister to me (as was Connie, especially Connie, who was a "big sister" to all the cousins it seemed!). We had nicknames for each other. She took Gwen's lead in calling me "Dill Pickle." (Wow! That hurt - LOL). I called her Pewla. She didn't like that nickname, but she should never have called me Dill Pickle. LOL! Paula has been an integral part of my entire life. We've shared a lot over the decades. I seem to never realize things until it's too late, but having her in my life has been an honor and a privilege. Although she is gone, the memories I have of her will remain with me until I take my last breath. I love you as a cousin, as a sister, as a friend, as a confidante. You've become part of my very Self. RIP Paula Elaine. Your cousin, Phyllis Lynn Barr Romero AKA Dill Pickle
