Paula Werry

Paula Werry, of Sandpoint, Idaho, went peacefully to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, April 11, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with dementia.

She was born Jan. 11, 1934, in Scandia, Kan., to Paul Sanger and Ruth (Albro) Doctor. She was little sister to Patty (Patricia Roberts Cahoon).

Her father moved the family to Denver, Colo., when Paula was four years old. At the age of 10, in 1944 her father, Paul, an employee of Remington Arms Company, was transferred to the Hanford Engineering Works (part of the Manhattan Project) at Richland, Wash., and thus, the family settled permanently in Richland.

Growing up, Paula was active in Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, sang in many school, community, and church choirs and was a member of many other clubs. She graduated in 1951 from Columbia High School in Richland.

Paula loved music and it truly was a very large part of her life. She was especially fond of sacred music. She had a beautiful soprano voice and in addition to her choir work she sang solos at many church and wedding functions. Locally in Sandpoint, she sang with two choir groups and for many years sang with Holy Spirit Episcopal Church choir, where she was a member.

She attended Central Washington University on a voice scholarship for a brief time before returning to the Richland, where she met and married Albert Lyon in 1952. They had four children together. They were later divorced in 1970.

Paula worked as a bookkeeper for Niemi, Holland and Scott, CPAs in Kennewick, Wash., for 24 years where she was a valued employee and respected by her peers. Additionally, she worked as an office administrator at Hawthorne Court Assisted Living in Kennewick after retiring from Niemi, Holland and Scott. However, she always said her most fulfilling job in semi-retirement was working at a daycare/preschool … Paula loved babies and children and loved being with them. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was truly blessed.

In 1978, she met the love of her life, Ellwood Werry. They were married in 1980, in Shoshone, Idaho. Paula and Ellwood lived in Kennewick until retiring to Sandpoint in 1991, where they built their home on their acreage in the Selle Valley.

Paula loved the hiking and walking in the outdoors, the mountains and of course Lake Pend Oreille. She enjoyed skiing Schweitzer Mountain with Ellwood, her family and her many friends. She was a longtime member, for 19 years, of Schweitzer Mt. Prime Timers ski club.

Paula was preceded in death by her father, mother and sister. She is survived by her husband, Ellwood Werry of Sandpoint; sons, Paul Lyon (Sandy) of Lake Hughes, Calif., Brent Lyon of Seattle, Wash., Daniel Werry (Charlene) of Richland, and Scott Werry (Felicia) of Richland; daughters, Kay Hamilton (Ron) of Puyallup, Wash., Kris Stewart of Puyallup, and Jill Loftus (Vince) of Kennewick; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paula’s family would like to offer a special thank you to all of the dedicated caregivers at Luther Park Memory Care Center, 510 Olive, Sandpoint, ID 83864 and the entire staff of Sandpoint Hospice, PO Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either of the above.

A celebration of her life will be held, Monday, April 19, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Family and friends are invited to sign Paula’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.