Paula (Gurney) Jaarsma

     Paula G. Jaarsma 96, died Thursday January 4, 2018 in the comfort of her favorite chair at Christopher Heights Assisted Living in Worcester.  She was born in Marlborough on April 22, 1921 and was the daughter of the late Ralph and Carolyn (Dodge) Gurney.

     She was educated in Marlborough schools and graduated from East Greenwich Academy and the Home for Convalescent Children at Wellesley Hills.  Upon graduation, she spent several years working for a family taking care of their children.  During WWII, she joined the United States Navy and worked as pharmacist Mate at a torpedo factory in Alexandria VA.  Before the war ended, she married Frank C. Jaarsma on July 16, 1944.  They were married for 64 years until his passing in 2008.

     Paula was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Marlborough where she sang in the choir and served a deaconess.  She spent most of her life in Marlborough and was well know for the beautiful sweaters, hats and mittens that she knitted.  Paula also enjoyed cooking, camping with her family and spending time with her family and friends.  Upon retirement , she and her husband moved to Zephyr Hills FL where they lived for 10 years before returning home to Massachusetts.

     She is survived by two sons; Frank Jaarsma Jr. of Winter Haven FL., Arthur Jaarsma and his wife Vicki of Clinton, a daughter Judy Manchester and her husband Bob of Turner ME, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by a brother Ralph Gurney Jr. and a sister Phyllis Gilliatt.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paula (Gurney) Jaarsma, please visit our floral store.