MANCHESTER ---- Paula Marcia Randall, 80, of Manchester, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 26, 2021.
Paula was born in Auburn, NY, July 11, 1941. She moved to Ogdensburg, NY, in 1951 where she graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1959. Paula attended SUNY Canton until marrying and moving to Biloxi, MS. In 1962, Paula and her family moved to Derry, NH, where Paula was a kindergarten teacher for 10 years while tending to her family and raising her two children, Lynn Perkins and Terri Perkins.
Paula moved to Merrimack in 1975 and became very active in the Merrimack Youth Association by Directing and Coaching the Girls Softball Program, Coaching in the Girls Basketball Program, teaching for the Youth Figure Skating Program, and being a strong and avid supporter of the Boys Hockey Program. A well-remembered program that Paula helped to establish was the special needs program in Merrimack called the Merrimack Friars.
Paula was a resident of Manchester, NH, for 30 years. She was a deeply loved and respected mental health therapist, friend, mother, and mother-in-law due to her caring and kind demeanor and the respect she offered to all she encountered.
Paula was a long-time active member in St. James United Methodist Church in Merrimack.
In 1991, Paula returned to higher education learning to obtain her Associate Degree in 1995, Bachelors Degree in 1996, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in 1999. Paula started her Mental Health therapy services career at Easter Seals of NH for the Jolicoeur School and the Girls Group Home. In 2007, Paula proudly started her own practice, Phoenix Rising Counseling.
Paula was a strong advocate for women becoming their best selves either by learning for the future or healing from the past. She worked in close conjunction with Angie’s Place, a shelter for women. She completed her internship for her degree work at the NH State Prison for Women in Goffstown, NH and lent her support and expertise to any and all who expressed a need.
Paula loved the ocean – the smells, the sounds, the freedom of it. Whenever able, you could hear her ask, "Wanna take a ride to the beach?” It was her truly happy place.
Paula was the oldest of the four children of Paul and Edith Costa. She was predeceased by both her mom and dad and her two sisters Jeanne Costa Lincoln and Diana Costa LeBlanc. Her brother David Costa resides in Manchester, NH with his family.
Paula is survived by her two children, her daughter, Terri Perkins of Manchester, NH, and her son, Lynn ‘Perk’ Perkins, his wife Caryn Carney Perkins, and their two daughters, Paula’s beloved granddaughters, Chantel Perkins and Tara Perkins of Derry, NH.
The family will celebrate Paula on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 11:00 AM at St. James United Methodist Church, 646 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, NH. Masks will be required for attending the service and there will be a livestream opportunity for the service by logging onto the St James United Methodist Church website.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to YWCA of New Hampshire, 72 Concord Street, Manchester, NH 03101, to help support women in need.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.