Paula Nelson

Paula Janet Nelson, age 55, of Napa California, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2017, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa CA. Paula had been battling COPD for many years, and for the last 4 months had fought her longest and hardest battle in hopes of getting well enough for a lung transplant.

Paula was born at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa on May 19, 1961 to her parents Robert Allen and Mina Renae Nelson, and 3 older sisters, Sandy, Vicky, and Robin. Paula was the baby.

She went to NVUSD schools Bel Aire Elementary, Redwood Jr High, and graduated from Vintage High School class of 1979, where she was a member of the Vintage Yell Squad. She was raised on the best block in Bel Aire, Idlewild, where flag football, pet parades, hide and seek, and staying out until the last street light turned on were traditions. She also loved spending her summers with her family up at Lake Berryessa at the family trailer, swimming, water skiing, and just getting dirty! Paula had a beautiful smile and an incredible laugh!

After high school, Paula moved to Fremont CA, then Merced/Atwater where she married and had 2 wonderful sons, Kyle and Ryan Patterson. She would do anything for those boys! She returned to Napa and worked a long career for her brother in law Paul Hein as an installer for PB Hein Installations, traveling across the US, Canada, and as far south as Santiago, Chile. She moved into the office as administrative assistant where she worked until her COPD made this no longer possible. Paula loved working for her sister and brother in law, and was able to bring her sidekick dogs, Trigger and Stitch, to work with her every day.

Paula had 1 grandson; Kaiden Patterson, whom she absolutely lived for! She was able to have a trip to Disneyland with him a few years ago, her dream! She also had 6 nieces and nephews in addition to her 2 sons, whom she LOVED watching movies, gaming, and just hanging out with! Paula was the “favorite and fun” aunt! An exciting night out was going to Aunt Paula’s for Fright night movies with the cousins! Or playing all the versions Mario and up to Zelda and World of Warcraft.

Paula was raised in the LDS Mormon faith and attended the church up on the hill through her childhood. She loved her primary classes, young women and also attended Seminary classes. Paula became less active in the church but forever held her beliefs. Paula knows she will be with her family forever, which brought her great peace and joy.

Paula was able to keep connected while her mobility lessened, via the many social networks. We loved getting her silly “Get up and Dance, It’s Friday!” type clips she so loved to share!! Her son Kyle is working on getting her Facebook page converted to a memorial page for all who loved her to share our memories.

Paula is survived by her mother Mina Renae Nelson, father Robert Nelson and step mother Liliane Nelson, son Kyle Patterson and her grandson Kaiden Patterson, son Ryan Patterson, her sisters Sandy (Greg) Wright, Vicky (Paul) Hein, and Robin Nelson, her nieces and nephews Wyatt and Colton Wright, Leigh and Cassidy Hein, and Alexandria Wood. She is predeceased by her loving nephew Paul Emerson Hein.

Graveside service will be held Friday March 31, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Tulocay Cemetery and a reception will follow at Tulocay Funeral Home, 411 Coombsville Rd, Napa CA 94559. All friends and family, and anyone who loved our Paula, are invited to join us.

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