Ms. Paula Gae Nicole Davidson

Born Jan. 13, 1933, at Thrums, near Castlegar, B.C. Paula was the daughter of Nikolai (1900-1972) and Polly (1904-1941 , nee Kalesnikoff) Davidoff She had been the only girl in a family of seven siblings (Fred, Alex, Mike, Nick, Polly , Paul , & " Billy"/Vasilie). Paula is survived by her brother Vasilie (aka Bill) of Pincher Creek , AB , and had many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

As a child Polly had a merry outlook on life, finding beauty and humour in her environment to the last days of her life. Being the only girl in the family Polly soon acquired the moniker "Princessa"! She grew up ambidextrous but somewhat favouring her left hand, had beautiful handwriting, many freckles, as well as outstandingly remarkable auburn hair to go with her cheerful smile. Princessa loved to read and among her many favourites "Anne of Green Gables" was dearest to her heart. In later years she continued with several hobbies such as art (drawing and painting), crocheting, knitting, reading and walking.

Polly's schooling began at the Chipman Creek country school (M.D.#29_P.C., AB), then, following her mother's passing and the subsequent family move to their property at Tarrys (B.C.), at the old Thrums-Tarrys School and later the Blueberry School near Castlegar. Upon the family return to P.C. Polly entered high school at the new P.C.H.S. (1950) and completed at LCI (Lethbridge Collegiate Institute).

Polly's dreams of becoming an R.N. ( registered nurse ) were shattered by a series of home and family disasters.

1. The farm situation became dire following the exceptionally wet year of 1952; late seeding,

continuous summer rains, washed out roads and bridges, etc., and finally a blizzard. The family

woke on Sept. 1st expecting to go to school, but instead to six inches of snow, howling winds,

and still green flattened crops. No harvest followed that year or the next. The crops hadn't

ripened.

2. Brother Paul's death along with two friends in the Castlegar-Robson ferry fiasco and disaster

on Dec. 24 '52.

3. Influence of the 'foot and mouth ' cattle disease (circa 1953-54), which in turn resulted in the

collapse of cattle prices, and consequently:

4. the farm being listed for auction sale in lieu of tax arrears.

5 . Grain sales were also stymied by poor international sales, slow movement of grain freight to port

due to winter conditions as well as union rail and port strikes.

6. and, equally political and social influences... at some point Polly made a change to her name.

Polly had been a trustful, happy, and cheerful soul until disaster struck.

Having lost her mother (1941) , brother (1952 ), and now seeing the 'family farm' to be sold at auction on the following day Polly became unusually distraught . . . . much later we are to read the "Perfect Storm".

Eventually this led Polly to seek her future in mental health research for the next fifty to seventy years.

Paula’s family on behalf of Paula, would like to express sincere heartfelt thanks to The staff at Forglen House and Burnaby Hospital for their dedicated care of Paula, the Social Workers & B.C. Health, Erland Polden: Public Guardian and Trustee & Forest Lawn Funeral Home.