East Baldwin, ME—Paula Jean (Cote) Baillargeon, 71, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on March 15, 1953, in Haverhill, MA, Paula was the beloved daughter of Paul and Maude (Hardy) Cote.
After graduating from the Haverhill school system, Paula pursued her passion for education at Amherst College, earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She dedicated over 25 years of her professional career to Liberty Mutual, where her commitment and kindness touched many lives before her well-earned retirement.
Paula’s life was filled with love, laughter, and creativity. She adored her two daughters and cherished every moment spent quilting, sewing, gardening, and crafting. Paula had an infectious sense of humor that brought joy to all who knew her. Her gentle spirit also extended to all the animals she cared for with great affection.
Paula was predeceased by her loving husband, David Baillargeon, her parents, Paul and Maude (Hardy) Cote, her sister, Sandra Cote, and her brother, Gary Cote.
She is survived by her daughters, Melissa Guthro of Cape Coral, FL, and Michelle Guthro of Nashua, NH, two stepdaughters that she adored as bonus children Charlene Harrison and husband Pat Harrison of Heborn, Maine, Norma Wilt and her husband Harold Wilt of Jay, Maine, her brothers, Michael Cote and wife Darlene of Kingston, NH, Alan Cote and wife Cheryl of Sailsbury, MA, and Jeffrey Cote of Groveland, MA, her sister, Linda Cote of Rochester, NH, as well as her nephews, Daniel Cote of Andover, MA, Matthew Cote and wife Kelly of Quincy, MA, Michael Conrad, Dylan Conrad both of Rochester, NH, and Michael Cote of Kingston, NH. She is also survived by her dog Ellie Mae and two cats Firefly and Maggie. Her family and friends will forever hold her memory in their hearts.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to Arts in Reach, AIR in Portsmouth, NH, an organization that empowers young girls by providing access to community arts programs in collaboration with professional artists.
https://artsinreach.networkforgood.com/projects/229552-fy-2024-5-action-fund
Paula’s legacy of love, creativity, and generosity will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched. A Celebration of Life for Paula will be held at a later date
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com