Pauline Marie Crestani

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I inform everyone of the death of my mom, Paula Crestani/Stork, who passed away on March 3, 2025 after complications from a surgery in December. She will be missed more than words can express.

Paula was full of life. She loved to hike, especially in the fall, as the beauty of nature and the colors of leaves changing always took her breath away. She loved to ride up to Saluda and hike just to see the waterfalls and visit the old general store. She loved dancing with her friends at Lynn’s on Friday nights. Paula enjoyed hosting LRC parties at her house each month for her lady friends. She enjoyed attending chair yoga weekly at the David Warner Center and walking with her friends before class started. She loved to travel and finally got to visit Italy last year which had been on her bucket list forever! Paula loved to cook and made the best eggplant, stuffed artichokes, pork chops, barbecue ribs, cannolis, and homemade apple pie! She loved to journal every night about her day and find gratitude in all that occurred. Paula would give the shirt off her back to help someone in need. She would also speak her mind so you were never left wondering what she was thinking. Above all, Paula loved her family. Shannon, her daughter, was her pride and joy. Their love for one another was like no other. They were more than just mother and daughter, they were best friends. They talked several times a week and they could finish each others sentences. Sometimes no words were necessary as they knew what each other was thinking. Paula loved her grandkids, Alexander (21) and Sydney (18). Being called Nana by these two was a special gift she held close to her heart. And Larry, her son-in-law, was always known as a great provider giving the very best life to her family. She was always so happy that we all had each other and accepted one another, even when we didn’t see eye to eye.

Paula was a planner. She had always prepared Shannon for death, as she explained it as a part of life. She shared her faith, beliefs, and spirituality with her family leaving them to be strong and comforted, not scared. Because of this, Shannon and Larry are able to fulfill Paula's wishes by having a Celebration of Life, but not your typical Celebration of Life. Paula did not want a funeral or a gathering at a funeral home. That seemed to be a time of sadness and she wanted people to remember the happy times and smile. She hoped people would talk and share memories with one another, hopefully making a new friend along the way. This celebration to remember Paula will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the clubhouse of Monteith Park located at 15245 Waterfront Drive Huntersville, NC 28078. Please stop by to share a memory you have of Paula with the family and have the closure you need as you have lost a good friend. There will be food, music, and a journaling page as the family would like to make a book of memories to remember forever.

Thank you for being a part of Paula’s life during her time on Earth. Each and every one of you had a special place in her heart. The Staton family looks forward to meeting you on Monday, March 17th any time during the hours of 6pm-9pm as this is a drop in and stay as long as you’d like event.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Hock Family Pavilion, an inpatient hospice facility in Durham, NC featuring 12 private patient rooms with 24 hour skilled nursing care at 4023 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704. They did a fantastic job caring for Paula and her family during a very difficult time.