DYKE, Paulette Starr

Paulette Starr Dyke (nee Freeman) passed away May 7, 2024 after a short illness at the age of 74. Our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend will be missed terribly. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Mona (Anderson) and Miles Freeman; her sisters Sandra (Mike) Hayward and Margaret (Randy) Mullins; her brothers Miles and Carl; and her nephew John Mullins. Grieving her loss are her daughters Kim (Mark), Tina (Edward) and her favourite, Kelly; her three grandchildren, Larissa, Kayleigh and Emily; her special friend and companion, Chris; her sister Val (Jim); her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a large circle of family and friends. Those who knew her the longest, knew her as Starr. Later in life, her friends and family knew her as Paula, and her treasured nieces and nephews, each one her favourite, knew her as Aunt Bingo. Mom was fiercely independent, and one of the most determined (stubborn) people you could ever know. If she decided something was going to happen, it came to be. No “ifs, ands or buts”. She raised us to be similarly independent, and almost as stubborn, and she was always so proud of us. Her three grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she bragged about them to anyone who would listen, and if they didn’t listen, she bragged about them even more, especially to her friends at the Mount Pearl Square dialysis unit, who she became so close with in her last couple of years. Mom loved the simple things, and spent many weekends camping and making wonderful friends and memories on the Line with Chris. She also loved the ocean, and a day on the water was one of her favourite things. Her eye rolls were unparalleled, she made the best Christmas cakes, and she was known to enjoy a good sing along from time to time. She had a dark sense of humour, and knew that hard things are made easier when you can laugh through the tears. We will do that a lot in the coming days and weeks. We know she would want us to say a special thank you to her nurses at the dialysis unit, and at St. Clare’s ICU and 6 East Special Care. Cremation has taken place. Mom would never want strangers “gawking” over her. Visitation for family and friends will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Barrett’s Funeral Home, 328 Hamilton Avenue from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A short service in celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. from Barrett’s Memorial Chapel, followed by interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Flowers in honour of her memory are welcome, or a donation can be made in her memory to the Spina Bifida Association, Beagle Paws or the SPCA.