Paula Ellen (Reed) Gibson passed away peacefully at home after an extended and private struggle with cancer on August 26, 2018. She was born in June, 1948 in Fall River, MA to Melvin and Ellen (Sheehy) Reed. She was a 1966 graduate of Bishop Cassidy High School and went on to receive a B.A. in English Literature from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1970 and late a graduate degree in education from Lesley University. She married William Gibson in 1973. Paula taught for 47 years in the Taunton Schools system, from 1970-2005 in Walker School as an elementary teacher and from 2006-2017 at Mulcahey Elementary School as a busy substitute teacher. She was a member of the MTA and TEA; a former member of the Morton Hospital Women’s Auxiliary; a former trustee of Morton Hospital and served as a co-leader of the Scouts.
She made many friends over the years among teachers and students alike. She will forever be remembered for the great pride and preparation she exhibited in her chosen career, as an exemplary educator of Taunton’s youth and the dignity and strength she displayed personally and professionally. She enjoyed travel, the company of friends and was held in high regard by her family as a devoted wife, mother, and an immaculate homemaker and shopper extraordinaire. She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; daughter, Sarah; and her sister, Nancy, as well as many cousins. A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 1st 2018 at 10:30am. in St. Bernard Catholic Church in Assonet, MA. The burial will be private at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home in Taunton, MA. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.