Paula Jean Pestana

After living a long and fulfilling life, Paula Jean Pestana passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 8th at the age of 90.

Paula was born on May 13th, 1935. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois with her parents, Veda and David Carle and her sister Marsha. She attended Purdue University, where she was an active member of the Sigma Chi Omega sorority and where she met her future husband, J. Justin Pestana Jr. The two were married in March of 1955 and moved to Camp Lejeune NC.

After fulfilling Justin's active duty in the United State Marine Corps, they moved to Mont Vernon, New Hampshire and became long-time residents. Justin began his career at JP Pest Services in Amherst, NH and Paula was a supporting wife and Mother. They built their dream home on Grand Hill Road. Here, Paula the girl from the south side of Chicago raised her children and embraced the country life, complete with horses, sheep, rabbits, cats and dogs. They enjoyed gardening, tennis, travel and many years of life in the small town they loved.

Paula organized and created the Bird and Pollinator Garden at the Mont Vernon Elementary School in memory of her dear friend Adele Wassell.

Paula was a devoted mother to Pamela, Joseph, and Christopher. She was a mother-in-law to Tracy Harris, Susan Pestana, and Patti Pestana. Her family grew to include six grandchildren: Tyler and Turner, Joseph and Carle, and Kendall and Max.

Later in life, Paula discovered painting. She was a member of the Milford Keyes Art Group and enjoyed traveling around New England painting all forms of landscapes with her artist friends. She spent many happy hours immersed in her work whether in classes, at exhibits or in her studio at home.

In 2018, she moved to the RiverMead Community in Peterborough, NH where she continued to enjoy family, friendships, and the life she had built. The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff within the River Mead Community for their kind and compassionate care.

Paula will be remembered for her wit, creativity and love of family. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

She will be interred in a private ceremony later this year in Mont Vernon. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Daland Memorial Library. PO Box 335, Lilac Lane, Mont Vernon, NH 03057. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com