Obituary of Paula Farnum

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Paula Farnum, a retired florist, passed away on Thursday morning, March 12, 2020 at the age of 71.  Paula was one of four daughters born to Paul and Alice Flammia.  She grew up in Medford and was a graduate of North Cambridge Catholic High School.  She and her sisters had a strong family bond.  They all moved to Burlington and their families shared so much together.  Paula was the quieter one of the girls and was often the peacemaker who made sure that family always came first.  Paula was deeply involved in her children’s life’s.  She was their confidant, and the “go to” person whenever they had a problem, crisis, or needed a helping hand.  Her girls never heard her speak ill about anyone.  She was always there for her grandchildren as well. She loved spending days doing arts and crafts with them at the kitchen table.  She let them help her in the kitchen and taught them to cook.  She would take them camping to give their mother a bit of respite.  She would volunteer to be a chaperone on their school field trips.  She was more like a second mother than a grandmother to them.  Paula and her husband, Harry, had a great devotion to each other.  They were a team.  They enjoyed camping at Sanborn Shore Acres Campground in Hampstead, NH.  They started camping in a tent and eventually moved up to a much plusher camper.  They also spent many summers going to Hampton Beach where they hosted large groups of friends and family. There, they loved going to the beach during the day and walking the boardwalk at night.  They also took over 10 cruises to the Caribbean and other warm weather destinations.  When Paula faced her health challenges, Harry did his best to care for her and ease her apprehension just as Paula would have done for him if the roles were reversed.

Paula worked as a florist for most of her working career.  She always had a creative side to her.  She loved creating beautiful floral arrangements that she knew would cheer up a person who was ill or sad or help celebrate a special event, romance, or anniversary.  She loved working with customers and helping them to select the perfect gift and write the heartwarming sentiment to highlight the floral arrangement. This was the most rewarding career for Paula as it also allowed her to lend her talents for friend’s and family’s special moments. 

In addition to her kindness and comforting demeanor, she loved a good joke and a great party. She will be missed.

Paula was the beloved wife of Harry Farnum. She was the loving mother of Lindsay Farnum & her husband Corey Morcombe of Burlington and Holly Casaubon of Burlington. She was the endearing sister of Anne Maher of Burlington, Linda Durgavich of Burlington, and the late Jean Finn Santullo.  She was the proud grandmother of Jordan Casaubon, Cheyenne Casaubon, Brooklyn Morcombe, and Jonny Tomasi.  She was survived by her sister-in-law Marie Olson of North Port, FL.  Paula was also survived by many caring nieces and nephews. 

 A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Sunday, March 15 from 3-6 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Monday, March 16 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Church, 111 Winn St. at 10 a.m. The burial will be private.  Memorials in Paula’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452 or www.alz.org For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.stmargaretburlington.org or www.sullivanfuneralhome.net

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