LACONIA, NH ---- formerly of Peabody & Lynn, MA ---- Paula A. Gagnon, 70, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 20th, 2025 at Concord Hospital, surrounded by her family.
She was the daughter of the late Nils Strom Jr. and Betty (Spencer) Strom. A graduate of Lynn English High School, Paula began working at her father’s restaurant in Marblehead, and went on to hold roles at Bank of New England, Saucony, Northshore Medical Center, Essex County 911, and most recently, Essex County OB/GYN, where she retired in 2023.
Paula was a quiet force—sharp-witted, deeply generous, and full of wisdom. She found joy in life’s simple things: a good book, girls’ weekends, or lending a hand to family. Her side-eye made you laugh; her words made you think. She was the family’s Google—always ready with an answer, a fix, or simply a listening ear. Her family leaned on her immensely—for strength, perspective, and the kind of steady presence only she could offer.
She embraced life with quiet grace and unique spirit—especially visible in her ever-changing hair colors and her deep devotion to those she loved.
As Paula enters her eternal library, she leaves behind her husband of 33 years, Kenneth Gagnon; her son Kyle and his wife Michelle; her daughter Kasey and her fiancé Calvin Brault; her sisters Lisa Flint and Julie Silva and their husbands Donald Flint and Jack Silva; her brother Robert Strom; her sister-in-law Patricia Gagnon, and her husband William Lewis; her beloved dog Jonny; and her stepmother Mary Kelter-Strom. She was predeceased by her parents, brother David Strom, and niece Stephanie Strom. Paula also leaves a loving tribe of cousins, nephews, and nieces behind, who will miss her deeply.
There will be no services at this time as the family grieves this sudden loss, but a private celebration will be held in the future to honor her life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lynn Public Library, 5 North Common St., Lynn, MA 01902—one of Paula’s favorite places for stories and discovery.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.