I lost a sister-in-law recently. Actually we have been losing her for quite a while as she was suffering from a very debilitating dementia: corticobasal degeneration!

Paulette was an artistic person – an artist of many dimensions. She was an inventive painter (I have a couple of her amazing works, as do my children). She also was a brilliant craftsperson in strained glass. After potential health issues forced her to relinquish these activities she took up acting as well as the written word. Again she was amazing.

One interesting note from her acting world (and there are many that could be told) was a role in the A&E film The Crossing. She had the only female speaking role as the wife of a Presbyterian minister and in one scene had a very convincing argument with a Methodist: what`s so interesting about that, you ask? She was raised a Roman Catholic, but her husband was the son of a Presbyterian minister. Every time I watched that movie (which was very good) I chuckled to think of all the ironies at play.

Paulette was a gentle soul – soft spoken and never spoke ill of anyone. She was thoughtful and perceptive. She was loving and supportive. She was the quintessential wife, mother, aunt, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law.

Thankfully we have her art to always remind us of her talent. Thankfully my brother has shared some of her writing so her voice continues from the written page. Thankfully she is out of her pain. Thankfully we were blessed with her joyful presence for many decades.

I know my brother will miss her most; but the rest of the clan now has a special hole no one will quite be able to fill – she was that unique, she was that special!

In reflective respect,
g.w.