December 31, 2024
Morton, Paula M.
Paula Michele (Voega) Morton, a resident of Westwood for 47 years, died Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She was 79. Paula was born November 5, 1945 in Middletown, New York, the daughter of Alfred Vincent and Florence Elizabeth (Kruser) Voega. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Boston Teacher’s College in 1969 and worked for 37 years as a kindergarten teacher in the Boston Public School System. Paula enjoyed cooking, and her cats and parrots. She is survived by her husband, James Joseph Morton, and her daughter, Sara Beth Morton, both of Westwood. Paula was the sister of the late Keith Voega. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her graveside service Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11 am at the New Westwood Cemetery (located behind St. Margaret Mary Church in Westwood). In lieu of flowers donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 would be appreciated.
About Paula M. Morton – In Memory of Her Paula was an excellent cook. She learned how to be a good cook from her Great Aunt (in-law) Antoinette Caira Walsh. The first thing she learned from Antoinette was how to make homemade authentic Italian spaghetti sauce. Paula always had a strong interest in trying new foods and prepared many delicious meals for her family. For many years, she had a routine of having something sweet on Sundays. Usually, it was apple pie, pastry, or homemade blueberry pancakes on a snowy day. Throughout her teaching career at Boston Public Schools, Paula was well-liked by her Kindergarten students and their parents. She taught a multitude of young children from diverse backgrounds how to read and write. She also encouraged them to paint and draw to portray their experiences and learn how to express themselves. If a student did not have access to crayons, pencils, or drawing paper at home, she would give these items to them. If a student did not have a costume at Halloween she would help them make a cutout paper plate mask and draw an animal character on it. Paula would even buy costumes after Halloween, save them until the following year, and give them to any child who felt left out because of not having a costume. Her classroom was often filled with the playful energy of little voices singing melodies and educational songs. Every year, after the annual teacherstudent Christmas concert, Paula was showered with an unexpected amount of thankful gifts from the parents of her students. Paula taught her daughter Sara how to read at an early age, before Kindergarten. She implemented the “Mac and Tab” teaching workbooks that were about a mouse and a cat. She read many magical books to Sara at bedtime including the Bible for children. Paula had a very lighthearted and enthusiastic personality. Her voice was often boisterous from teaching in a classroom full of kids. She had a great sense of humor that she shared with family and friends. Paula loved bright colors with orange and magenta being her favorites. She had two orange cars and loved orange tabby cats. In the Summertime, she went on many day trips to seaside locations around Massachusetts and New England with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Sara. Many Summers, Paula was a happy hostess to her Mother and Father-in-law “Dotty and Sam” Morton when they came to visit Massachusetts from Florida. She also went on day trips with the retired teachers’ chapter. Paula dabbled in gardening, planting flowers, and growing tomatoes and vegetables in the backyard. For twelve years, during her retirement, she maintained an active lifestyle and exercised several times per week at a local health club. In later years, Paula’s cooking skills served as a great example and inspiration for her daughter Sara. When Paula was unable to cook, Sara was able to continue the tradition of enjoyable homemade healthy meals. Paula spent her sunset years at home with strong support from her husband, Jim, and daughter, Sara. Paula still enjoyed trying new foods. She liked watching wild birds and animals that would often appear in the backyard. Her two cats and parrot provided entertainment and laughter with the silly little things that pets do. Every phrase the parrot likes to say, the bird was taught by Paula. She enjoyed watching movies and TV series with her family, such as fictional historical costume dramas like Outlander and Masterpiece Theater. Listen to the opening theme song of the series “Outlander” (by Bear McCreary) and think of her: https://youtu.be/vUt0y29exX0?si=UNiaj5Tp-JRG-PRF Gone but not forgotten. Forever in our hearts.
Eulogy by her daughter, Sara Morton