Paula J Walsh

Paula Walsh was born in Iowa in 1936, the youngest of three children born to Bill and Zelda Baker. In 1945, the family moved to Bakersfield, Ca. Paula attended Garces High School and, unbeknownst to her, met her future husband. In 1959, Paula married Patrick E. Walsh. They started a family in Bakersfield and later moved to Delano where the remaining children were born.

With two deaf daughters, Paula was determined to find a way to help them learn to speak, so she contacted the John Tracy Clinic in Long Beach and began their correspondence course. In order to access a deaf education program, the family relocated to San Diego where she lived for the next 46 years. Paula joined the Hearing Handicapped Children's Association and served as their president.

Paula also worked tirelessly for many charities, using her skills in the art of crochet. She made countless items including slippers for veterans and quiet rosaries for the military. The charity closest to her heart was Life Choices, an organization providing assistance to new mothers and their babies. She created over 500 handmade baby layettes over the past several years.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Patrick E. Walsh, her children: Patrick M. Walsh, Kathleen and her husband Evan Sampson, Mary Ann Walsh, William F. Walsh and his wife, Cynthia, and Nancy Walsh. Paula had 11 grandchildren: Roseann Walsh, Patrick S. Walsh, Katherine Depew, Allison Walsh, Isabel Nuño Greg Sampson, Rachel Sampson, Rebecca Sampson, James Walsh, Jonathan Walsh, and Julia Walsh.

Arrangements under the direction of Goodbody Mortuary, San Diego, CA.