Paula Lorraine Taylor, a proud and long time member and Manager of the Nursing Payroll department at the BI Deaconess Hospital, died peacefully on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after a valiant struggle with illness. She was 78 years old.
The second of four daughters of Sarah “Sally” (McHugh) and Paul Taylor, Paula grew up in Roslindale surrounded by extended family “down the house,” with her grandparents Julia and “Daddy Pat” McHugh, her mother, and sisters all upstairs, and her Aunt Eileen and Uncle Artie Tippo, and cousins Robert, Michael, Karen, Stephen, Julie, and SallyAnn downstairs. Later, spouses and little cousins made for huge holiday gatherings that filled the entire house. Throughout her entire life, her love and closeness to her sisters defined her. After the passing of Jean Marie and Patricia, Paula and Eileen’s bond grew ever greater, and they were the best of friends.
Paula graduated from Hyde Park High School. In 1968 she married John Radosta III, also of Roslindale. She was welcomed into his family, as seen by her new father-in-law telling friends, “She’s Irish, but she’s nice.” She became very close to his sister Joanne (Scanlan). They raised John and Denise in a loving home, often spending vacations on the Cape. Paula impressed the importance of education on them so much that both went on to become teachers. Her love and kindness spread beyond her own children to their spouses Mayre Plunkett and Francis Lupianez. She reveled in the stories of her many nieces and nephews, several of whom report that she was their favorite aunt “by far.”
Paula doted on her three grandchildren, and loved to attend their various games and activities. As they grew up, she thrilled to hear of their achievements, hopes, and dreams. She was always willing to listen and give advice, or just some candy to make things better. She was proud to get to see Nicholas through college, Paul to the Army, and Mary to graduate high school and start college. Every detail of their lives was a joy to her, and she was their “number one supporter.”
Paula had a way of making lasting impressions on everyone she met, making their days brighter no matter the circumstances. After a long career at the Deaconess Hospital, later the BIDMC, Paula retired, retaining many friendships she developed along the way. Particularly close were Sheila Goggin and Rosemary Lambert, loyal friends who loved and supported her through happy and tough times.
Later, she started life anew, fiercely independent. She bought her own home, and took great pride in its upkeep, and looked forward to seeing the peonies every year. She loved to cook, and her banana bread, stuffed artichokes, and tomato sauce were legendary. During this time, she enjoyed sailing and spending time with her long time dear friend, the late James “Jim” Dooley.
Paula took great comfort in her faith. She was very active in the St. Mary’s community, including her role as a Eucharistic Minister and a volunteer at the St. Mary’s Parish Center. She formed many great friendships among the clergy and her fellow parishioners, and was a dedicated participant in Gospel study.
She was an avid reader, a love she passed on to both of her children. She was a lifelong fan of the songs of Paul Anka and Van Morrison and enjoyed movies, especially if Denzel Washington starred. One of her favorite films, though, was Die Hard, which, she said, was definitely a Christmas movie.
She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Patricia (Ricci) and Jean Marie, cousins Robert Tippo, Michael Tippo, Karen Tippo (Lovejoy), and Stephen Tippo, former in-laws John and Jacqueline Radosta, sister-in-law Janice (Sullenberg), and brothers-in-law Robert Scanlan and John Munzert.
Paula will be remembered as a strong, kind woman who gave love to all she met. Her strength showed through her battle with cancer and the repercussions of her treatments, through which she always fought to surprising ends with a ready smile. Many of her caretakers said that she was sweet, and she strove to remember them in her thoughts and deeds. But her family, immediate and extended, was the most important thing to her. To the end, she cherished memories of her late sisters and cousins, and was always ready to celebrate the achievements of those she loved. As her Uncle Artie once said, Paula was “always beautiful.”
Visiting hours will be at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St, Dedham, on Wednesday, Oct 28 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Church, 420 High St. Dedham Thursday, Oct. 29 at 10:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment int St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 1095 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury immediately following.