Paula Anne Conway, 56, beloved local dance teacher and more recently a CNA in elder care, died peacefully in her sleep from heart failure due to COPD, at home on September 13th.
She leaves her mother and best friend, Maureen (Barry) Conway and her father, John Conway, of Tewksbury and the late William A. Laurin; her brother, Bill Conway and his wife, Laura of Sandown, NH; her sister, Cheryl, and her partner, Paul Peterson, of Florida; her brother, Shawn Conway and his wife, Stacey Curran, of Salem, MA, and her brother, Mark Conway and his partner, Rhonda Mansur, of Nashua, NH. She also leaves her nephew, Tyler Flaherty of Florida, and her nieces, Hunter Conway of Sandown, NH, Maeve Conway of Northampton, MA, and Norah Conway of Salem, MA.
Paula is a 1982 graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Tyngsboro. She continued her education at SUNY Purchase, NY majoring in dance. She was granted the “Nancy Jo Abels” full dance scholarship from SUNY. A trained ballerina, Paula joined the Boston Ballet Company while still in her teens, and she performed in the Nutcracker for several years. Her skill led her to New York and then Chicago stages.
Paula Anne was a loving and loyal daughter, sister, aunt, and Patriots’ fan. She had friends in many places, and her ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, made them innumerable. She loved to have a good time, and when she laughed, her joy was infectious. Paula loved the beach, her family, and her career as a dancer.
For more than a decade, Paula was the owner of her own dance studio, and during that time she taught and mentored hundreds of aspiring young dancers. She loved them all, and stayed in touch with many, as a cherished mentor. She loved to showcase the talents of all her dancers, and proudly celebrated each one. Recently, her generosity and kindness led her to elder care. She gave her patients as much love and support as she had her dancers. She happily cared for those who needed her extra attention, and delighted in being an eager listener and ready friend.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 21st at 11:00 AM, at Saint William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA. All friends and family are welcome to attend.