Obituary: Paula M. (Stone) Gardella of Swansea

(From Hathaway Community Home for Funerals)

Paula M. (Stone) Gardella, 65, of Swansea died on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at the Clifton Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Somerset. She was the wife of 42 years to John W. Gardella.

She was born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Charles L. and Lorraine E. (McKenna) Stone. Paula was a graduate of Joseph Case High School class of 1966. She the earned a bachelor’s degree of science from Roger Williams University in 1990. She worked at Rhode Island Hospital as the administrator for the Anesthesia Department for 20 years.

Mrs. Gardella also earned her Master’s Degree in Social work from Rhode Island College in 1992. Paula then worked for VNA Care New England as a hospice social worker until her retirement in 2010.

While working for the VNA she also taught night courses in Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis to criminal justice students at Roger Williams University. Paula enjoyed the time she spent with her family and friends especially her daughter. She also liked to shop and cherished the time she spent traveling with her husband in Europe.

Survivors are a daughter: Stephanie L. Gardella of Ludlow, MA; a sister: Cheryl Benjamin of Swansea, MA; three brothers: Charles L. Stone of Cranston, RI; Ronald Stone of Somerset, MA; Stephen Stone of Swansea, MA; and many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. from the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11am in Saint Dominic Church, 1277 GAR Hwy, Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, burial to follow in Vinnicum Woods Cemetery in Swansea. Calling hours are Wednesday, April 3, from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial donations in her memory can be made to either the American Cancer Society, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or Southcoast VNA, 200 Mill Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719. 

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