Paula May Franklin

Paula May Franklin, 76, went to be with God and her loving husband in the early morning of October 30, 2023 after a year long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 

Paula was born on June 15, 1947 in Tacoma, WA to Bernard and Angeline McMakin; the oldest of their six children. She attended Gonzaga University, University of Puget Sound, and eventually graduated from The Evergreen State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in education. She met her sweetheart, Michael Franklin, at a dance at St. Martin’s High School in Lacey, WA. After dating about a year, they married on January 28, 1967 and had 10 children.

Paula loved children and devoted many years of her life to being a teacher, in addition to raising her own. She taught at numerous schools over the course of her career, including St. Ann’s and Holy Family School, before retiring in 2021 from the Steilacoom Public School District as a paraeducator for Cherrydale Primary School. She was a dedicated educator and was especially devoted to helping those with special needs. However, although teaching was a passion for Paula, her greatest passion and joy was being a mother and grandmother.

Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma the things we will miss about you are many. But some that immediately come to mind are playing with the beloved, old box of toys that has been around for 50
years; putting puzzles together – with many pieces missing; putting our children down to nap in the family crib; letting our children play with your teddy bear that Dad gave you when you were dating; and family gatherings at the holidays and throughout the year. You were the family’s center, and we love you and miss you.

Paula was preceded in death by her loving husband, Michael, and her unborn daughter, Mary Cassandra.

She is survived by her 10 children, Darlene (Miller), Maria (Hovde), John, Michael, Paul, Martin, Joseph, Mark, Rachel (Murphy), and Milan; 18 grandchildren (soon to be 19); 2 great-grandchildren (soon to be three); her five siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Lakewood, WA.

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