Paula Cavaleri Dwyer of Quincy, MA, formerly of South Boston, died peacefully and surrounded by family on January 16, 2024. She was 72.
Paula was born on August 17, 1951 to Rocco and Marie Cavaleri. She was the first of seven girls, growing up in South Boston on East 4th Street, and attending Gate of Heaven.
Paula is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 50 years, Bob Dwyer.
Paula is also survived by her cherished sisters and their spouses: Susan (Cavaleri) and Frank Neuner, Karen (Cavaleri) McCarthy, Pamela (Cavaleri) Weeks, Michele Cavaleri and Amy Roark, and Christine (Cavaleri) and Eddie Tigges; and by her brother-in-law Al Petrilli, and her sister-in-law Ann Donovan and her husband Donald Donovan.
Paula was a devoted wife, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was a bird lover who enjoyed cooking, shopping, travel, arts and crafts, theater, movies, reading and politics. She will be remembered as an intelligent, funny, loving, and compassionate person who found the joy in each moment and who found meaning in giving to others.
Paula always knew how to make people feel special and never held back her love. Devoted to her large family, she found tremendous joy in celebrating birthdays, giving during the holidays, and making others smile with a silly hat or joke, especially the many nephews and nieces she leaves behind: Michael Neuner (godson) and his wife Lori, Patrick Donovan (godson) and his wife Jennifer, Michael Donovan (godson) and his wife Brittany, Sean Donovan (godson) and his wife Jackie, Kevin B. Weeks and his wife Kristen, Marie Neuner and her fiancé Charles Rabe, Brian Weeks, Patrick McCarthy and his wife Annie, Alex McCarthy, Albert Petrilli and his wife Rachel, Marielle Petrilli, Emily Citro, Abigail Citro, and Nicholas Tigges (12).
Paula is predeceased by her sister Marie (Cavaleri) Petrilli and her nephew David Neuner.
Additionally, she will be missed by her many cherished grandnieces and grandnephews: Sophia Neuner (13), Sean Ryan Donovan (12), Claire Donovan (11), Brendan Neuner (10), Charlie Donovan (10), Kayla Donovan (10), Kailyn Weeks (9), Charlotte Donovan (8), Emery Donovan (8), Kevin W. Weeks (7), Jimmy Donovan (6), Nolan Donovan (6), Charlotte Neuner (5) and twins Ava and Ady Petrilli (1).
A private celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Lung Association.
With all our love, Paula. Always and all ways, forever and ever.