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Obituary: Paula Sue Symons

March 24, 1954 – May 24, 2019 

Paula Sue Symons, 65, of Institute, in the Town of Sevastopol, died at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Paul Lawrence Saladin and Madelyn Therese (Audette) Saladin. Paula grew up attending St. Jude Catholic Church in White Pine, Michigan, and graduated from White Pine High School in 1972. She went on to study accounting at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan. On June 21, 1973, Paula was united in marriage to Darrel Alan Symons at St. Jude Catholic Church.

While in high school and college, she worked for Paoli’s Market in White Pine. Paula then went to work for Red Owl (grocery store) in White Pine before owning Silver City General Store for 10 years. She worked for White Pine Hardware Store for a little over a year before going to work for White Pine High School for five years. There, Paula cared for students with special needs.

She and Darrel relocated to Door County in 1999 after her brother, Patrick, and his family moved here. Paula was employed with Sevastopol School District, where she was the elementary school secretary and athletic director secretary for 20 years. She loved her students with all her heart and helped ensure they were all taken care of by providing clothes and food (an effort which became known at school as Paula’s Pantry) and presents as well. Paula was at all of the Sevastopol athletic events, supporting the students; her sons, Phil and Andy, during their years of coaching; and helping wherever else she was needed. “She was ALL SCHOOL.”

Family meant everything to Paula; she loved attending family events and just spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. Paula liked riding her bike to school and being outdoors. She also enjoyed cooking.

Paula’s love will live on in the hearts of her husband, Darrel, with whom she was blessed with nearly 46 years of marriage; two sons; Phil (Missy) Symons and Andy (girlfriend, Emily Marggraf) Symons, both of Sturgeon Bay; two grandchildren, Taylan and Kinsley Symons; five siblings, Patrick “Pat” (Kathryn “Kathy”) Saladin of Sturgeon Bay, Pamela “Pam” Saladin of Detroit, Michigan, Patricia “Patti” (Robert “Bob”) Calhoun of Farmington, Minnesota, Terry (Lori) Saladin of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amy (Matthew “Mutt”) Pierpont of Minneapolis, Minnesota; two siblings-in-law, Debra (Daniel) Audette and Daniel Symons, both of Marquette; other relatives; her Sevastopol School family; and many other dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Paula’s life will be honored with a mass of Christian burial celebrated at 1 pm on Saturday, June 15, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. Carl Schmitt as celebrant. She will be laid to rest in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Ontonagon, Michigan.

Visitation will be held at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, 3-7 pm, on Friday, June 14, with a wake service to conclude the evening at 7 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, 11:30 am – 12:50 pm.

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staffs of the cancer center at Froedert Hospital in and St. Vincent Hospital for their care given to Paula and to the entire Sevastopol School District students, staff and families for all of your love and support this past year.”

Huehns Funeral Home and Door County Crematory in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Symons family. Expression of sympathy, memories and photos of Paula can be shared through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com.    

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