Obituary: Paula Marie (Vuilleumier) Holland, 77

January 16, 1947 — September 8, 2024

Paula Marie (Vuilleumier) Holland of Stoneham passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 8, 2024. She was 77 years of age.

Paula was born on Thursday, January 16, 1947, as the loving daughter of the late Paul Vuilleumier and late Mildred (Walsh) Vuilleumier, dear sister of the late William Vuilleumier and Jane Vuilleumier. She grew up in South Boston, where she attended Gate of Heaven High School and spent many summers sailing with friends off Castle Island. It was there that she met her beloved husband and love of her life, Fred Holland.

After high school, Paula went to Lawrence Memorial School of Nursing where she met many lifelong friends and began her 40-year career in pediatric nursing. For 23 years, she worked at Medford Pediatrics as a dedicated and caring registered nurse, seeing many patients grow up and eventually bring in their own children. 

Later on, she accepted the position as school nurse for the Joshua Eaton School in Reading, and simultaneously went back to school herself to achieve her BSN from Emmanuel College.

Paula loved caring for kids, but there was nothing she loved more than her own family. She and Fred enjoyed building a life in Stoneham, traveling on family vacations, spending time with each other, as well as their cherished grandkids and dogs.

She was a creative person at heart, and could often be found spending her free time crocheting a blanket, beading a necklace, making a delicious recipe, or shopping online for a deal – showing her love through thoughtfully selected gifts.

Her entire family will miss her deeply. She was the beloved wife of Fred Holland for 54 years, the devoted mother of Fred Holland, Jr. and his wife Elif Bali of Brooklyn, NY, Alison Holland and her husband Thomas Arria, III of Stoneham, Jacqueline Holland and her husband Jonathan Gardner of Boston, and Pamela Holland-Arria and her husband Marc Arria of Stoneham. She was the best “Nee” and “Nana” to Vivian, Eloise, Ruby, Kaan, Kaya & Indira. 

Paula is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family dogs – all of whom will truly miss her, her sense of humor, and fun-loving personality.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Paula’s Family on Friday, September 13th from 8:30am – 10:30am in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28), Stoneham. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

A Funeral Mass Celebrating Paula’s Eternal Life will be held on Friday, September 13th at 11am in Saint Raphael Church, 512 High Street, Medford. Interment Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Stoneham.