Paula Jane Edwards

Paula Edwards leaves a strong legacy after living a full life. She adored her grandchildren (Alex-18, Jake-17, Emi-16, Sydney-15), cherishing time spent with them and celebrating all of their activities, accomplishments and passions. She and Herbert “Hobie” Edwards, her husband of nearly 58 years, lived in the house they built in Littleton, Colorado, soon after they were married and where they raised their 2 children – Kendall (spouse Lisa, children Alex and Sydney) and Marcia (spouse Justin Nelson, children Jake and Emi) – and several dogs. Hobie continues to live in their family home which continues to be filled with family and love. Paula loved watching the spectacular Colorado sunsets and the mountains from the deck and gardening in her yard, taking great pleasure over the years with her flower beds. Paula was an avid scrapbooker, leaving her family a glorious record of activities, people, and milestones through the years. Either armed with a camera herself (“Where’s my camera?”) or constantly asking, “Who’s taking a picture?” and “Could I get a copy of that?”, she taught her grandkids to be ready with a smile and taught everyone to stop and focus on the shared experiences and daily beauty surrounding us.

A native of Denver, born at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Paula graduated from the University of Denver in 1963 and embarked on her teaching career. Early in her career Paula taught high school French and took several trips to France, both with students and personal, which she always recalled with pleasure. She frequently used French words or phrases sprinkled into her casual conversation. Paula taught and volunteered for over 18 years in Littleton Public Schools, spending most of the time focusing on literacy in the elementary schools. Reading was very important to her, and she was surrounded by books, reading to herself or aloud to the grandchildren. Music was one of Paula’s passions. She played the flute in several community organizations and taught flute to school age students for more than 20 years in her home. Music was always playing around the house or more recently in her room and she was frequently heard whistling or singing along. Paula passed her love of music to both her children and grandchildren.

Paula was always seen with a smile and laughing was a favorite pastime. She enjoyed sharing jokes with her grandkids. Paula always sought out fun and truly found joy in life. The week before her death, Kendall asked her during a visit if she wanted anything. Her response was, “I want to have some fun!”

Paula’s last years were challenged by the dreadful diseases of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Despite being robbed of the many things the disease takes away, Paula retained her sense of humor, constant smiles and laughs, love of her family, passion for music, positive sunny outlook, and “joie de vivre” to the very end. She lived a full life and leaves the gifts of love, compassion, and humor carried on in her children and grandchildren. Paula passed peacefully on April 2, 2023.

The family would like to honor Paula’s career in elementary education by establishing a fund through Littleton Public Schools Foundation. The fund will support her passions of literacy and music in LPS elementary schools. Please visit https://lpsfoundation.com/how-to-help/donate-now.html and select “In Memory of Paula Edwards…” from the “My donation is for” drop-down to designate the donation. You may also contact LPS Foundation at 303-347-3478. Our goal is to fund grants for elementary literacy and music in her memory for the next decade. Additionally, the family would love to receive all memories and photographs you would like to share. Please send them to [email protected] or mail them to the family. No service is planned at this time.