Paulette Wendy Claire Josiah

Paulette was born on April 2, 1959, in Georgetown Guyana to Mr. Fitzherbert Josiah and Mrs. Esther Pearson Josiah. She was number 9 of 10 children: Samuel (Deceased), Keith, Brentnol, Yvonne (Deceased), Doreen, Pauline, Joycelyn, Clifford and Clarence. Both of Paulette’s parents died when she was very young, and she was raised largely by her older siblings. Motivated by her humble beginnings, in 1980, she successfully completed her undergraduate studies in elementary education at Cyril Potter College of Education, she also completed several certification programs at Critchlow Labor College. Paulette went on to teach for over 30 years; a large part of her career was spent at St Gabriel’s Primary school; she later became one of the first teachers to be hired at School of the Nations.

Outside of teaching, the greatest pride of Paulette’s life was the role of mother to both her biological children and those that she loved and helped to raise, Nigel, Carolyn, Onika, Carol, Irvin, and Kevin. Paulette adored her grandchildren, Kcee, Anika, Ashani and Kajani.

In 2005 Paulette migrated to the United States with her son and other siblings. She worked for the Veterans Affairs hospital while attending college to complete her bachelor’s degrees. In 2013, she graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Management, a proud accomplishment especially having gone back to school more than thirty years after accomplishing what she thought was her final academic feat. Paulette hoped to one day become a social worker.

In 2018 Paulette was diagnosed with colon cancer, she completed the recommended treatment and was declared cancer free in 2019; later that year she was told the devastating news that the cancer had returned. Paulette handled her diagnosis with the same positivity and grace that she always had in life. Despite the struggles and challenges that she faced during her cancer journey, she always tried to be a positive force with everyone that she met.

Paulette was an avid reader and loved to travel, she enjoyed “looking for a good sale” and making random trips to Costco with her daughters and reading with and playing board games with her son and grandchildren. The holiday season was her favorite time of year and involved months of planning and preparing to decorate her house for her yearly competition with her son in law Ashani. She was warm, friendly, and easy to talk to, much of her time was spent talking on the phone, chatting, or counseling family and friends. Paulette made friends easily, random conversations with strangers often led to long lasting friendships. She often joked about the fact that she had unknowingly become friends with her future son in law, Martin, while conducting business at his office; well before her daughter introduced him to the family. Paulette prided herself on being plain spoken, and often said that she liked that others did not need to guess what she was thinking since she always spoke her mind. She was open and giving and was always willing to help anyone that was in need and would give her last to anyone that she knew or met.

Paulette is survived by her children, sons in law, grandchildren, her siblings, her nieces and nephews; Clifford, Earl, Samantha, Lorna, Troy, Seon, Jason, Compton JR. Burkley, Oliver, Sherlene, Clarence JR., Chrisann, Keon, Carl, Chrystal - and others - and friends, notably Yvette, Pam, Sandra, Chandra, Michelle, and Anne- who were all more like sisters.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenderitachapel.com for the Josiah family.