Paula Pawlak
— Waterford Paula Ann (St. Germain) Pawlak, 84, beloved mother and Mèmè of Waterford, died peacefully at her home Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness. Paula was born Oct. 16, 1938, in Norwich, daughter of the late Andre E. St. Germain and Rita (Legare) St. Germain.
Paula was raised in Taftville, and attended Sacred Heart School and the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic. Paula relocated her family from Taftville to New London, in 1967; and in 1969, she began her 28-year employment, with the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (formerly D.M.R.) as a DMR aide at the Seaside Regional Center; and then worked in the Regional Group Homes until her retirement in 1997.
During her retirement years, Paula enjoyed knitting afghans for her children and grandchildren; was an avid reader; and was always thoughtfully sending greeting cards to all her family and friends for every birthday and holiday. Each spring, she surrounded her home with bird feeders and flowers, so she could enjoy her favorite pastime — watching her hummingbirds and butterflies.
She is survived by her five children: Michael Pawlak and his wife Sheilia of West Richland, Wash., Mark Pawlak and Eilleen of Tequesta, Fla., David Pawlak and his wife Sue of Waterford, Diane Crawford and her husband Bob, of Newington, and Daniel Pawlak of Jensen Beach, Fla.; her beloved eight grandchildren:
Paula Pawlak, Kyle Connolly, Erik Pawlak, Nicholas Crawford, Jaclyn (Crawford) Hunt, Michael and Ryan Pawlak and Trevor Pawlak; and ten great-grandchildren; her siblings, Peter St. Germain of Virginia, David St. Germain of Pennsylvania, Jeanne
Topali of Connecticut, and Gail Majewski of Florida; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Paula was predeceased by her parents; and her brothers, Anthony St. Germain and Daniel “Markie” St. Germain.
The family would like to thank all the nurses, PCA’s and physicians at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for the wonderful services they provided for their mother during the weeks she was in their care.
They would also like to extend a special “Thank You” to the wonderful Hospice team, Ryan, Amanda, Jennifer, Diane and Ronny at Masonicare for their exceptional kindness, care and compassion for their mother and family these past two weeks. The family will be forever grateful to all.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from
4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Family and friends may gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in St. Joseph Church, 149 Montauk Ave., New London. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New London. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions to be sent to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, Eastern Hospice, 97 Barnes Road, Suite 4, Wallingford, CT 06492.