Our beloved mother Paula A. Garufi, of Dedham, passed away peacefully at home with family by her bedside on September 20, 2023. She was 89 years old.
Paula was born on July 14, 1934 in West Roxbury, a place near and dear to her heart. Always smiling she had endless energy and was a very loving and kind hearted woman. She graduated at the age of 16 years young from Roslindale High School, Class of 1951, and then went on to graduate from Boston Clerical School. She could type with fluid precision and immediately landed a job at Dow Chemical in Boston. When not working she could be found either listening to or dancing to Irish music. She met the love of her life at an Irish dance, Philip Garufi and her Irish eyes were smiling on that evening. They married on September 4, 1955 and adored one another for nearly 67 years. Together they raised four children and she relished her role as a wife and mother. She loved to bake, was a fabulous cook and was very involved in the children's activities. She was honored to be a member of the Xaverian Brother's Mother Guild, the Greenlodge P.T.A. Dedham Little League and was a devout member of St. Mary's Church. When not baking or cooking she savored her family vacations and daily swims in West Dennis. Her lifelong passion was following the Boston Red Sox and there was excitement in the air on Opening Day. Mom was unmatched on statistics and players alike and was a " Fenway Faithful" right up until her death.
She leaves behind four children: Philip (Mary), Stephen (Emily), Paula Marie and Kevin (Vanessa). In addition she is survived by her sister June and her husband Donald Preskenis of Harwich, and her sister-in-laws Marie Burns and Rita Garufi. She is survived by six grandchildren: Elizabeth, Beau, Molly, Cara, Dom, and Alexa and 14 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in death by her beloved husband Philip, her parents Dr. Edward and Isabel McDonough, her sister Gail Sullivan, her in-laws, Philip and Marie Garufi and her brother-in-laws Francis Garufi and Paul Burns.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9:00-10:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. She will be laid to rest in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers please donate to The New England Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest St. Boston,MA 02135.