Paula M. Martin Siroonian passed away unexpectedly on Sun., Sept. 6, at the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington, Conn. She was surrounded by loving family and friends.
Paula was born in Worcester, Mass., on Feb. 8, 1954, and lived in Farmington for the past 18 years. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 29 years, Geary, and their children, 20-year-old twins Nicole Lee (at Wake Forest University) and Christopher Anthony (at Champlain College), and 18-year-old Deanna Kristine (at James Madison University). She is the cherished daughter of Sue L. Martin of Worcester and the late Anthony P. Martin, and loving daughter-in-law of Leo and Grace Siroonian of Weymouth, Mass. She also leaves behind her dear brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Verjik Martin of Bolton, Mass.; loving sister and brother-in-law, Andrea and Michael Harmon of Atlantic Highlands, N.J.; dedicated brother-in-law, Kenneth Siroonian of Rockland, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews who admired her strength, determination, and kindness.
Her lifelong family journey with her husband and children took her from Worcester to Providence, R.I., Indianapolis, Ind., Blairstown, N.J., Nashua, NH, North Andover, Mass., and for the past 18 years to Farmington, Conn. She grew up a member of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Worcester and was married in the St. Stephen’s Apostolic Armenian Church in Watertown, Mass. She was also a member of the St. Stephen’s Armenian Church in New Britain.
Paula graduated from Worcester South High School in 1972 and received her bachelor’s degree in audiology from Worcester State College in 1976. She continued her graduate studies at Assumption College and worked in one of the first group homes for the mentally challenged in Worcester’s Oberlin House. She was an active member of the Worcester Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), loved to dance, and had friends across the country. Through her years traveling, every stop would resurrect an old acquaintance from the AYF.
Despite her disability from multiple sclerosis, which left her confined to a scooter in later years, she led an active and vibrant life. Paula always went out of her way for old and new friends alike, and led a full life with honesty, respect, dignity, integrity, and fun. Her annual Thanksgiving feasts brought the entire family together and her home was constantly full of neighborhood children. Her door was always open, refrigerator always filled, and at times, 50 pairs of shoes would be lined up in the hallway! She tried to help and include everyone. She always had a smile on her face and seldom complained of her struggle. Nothing ever held Paula back and she was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with, many of whom wondered how she did it.
Paula’s family extends a heartfelt thanks to all those who lent a helping hand and made her life a richer one. Burial was at the Old North Cemetery in Weymouth, Mass. In lieu of flowers, Paula would have wanted donations in her memory to be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163) or the St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church (167 Tremont St., New Britain, CT 06051).
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