Paula A. (Gaudette) Harding, 72 of Derry, NH, died Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Harding was born in Lawrence, MA on September 30, 1934, a daughter of the late Arthur and Dorothy (Brown) Blanchard. She grew up in Lawrence and was affiliated with her family’s bakery business, “Susie Sweets.” Paula graduated from Lawrence High School and Northern Essex Community College and had also completed multiple AIB courses and seminars. She worked as a retail loan manager for First Essex Bank, retiring after 21 years with them. She was a member of St. Luke’s Church in Derry. Paula enjoyed reading, traveling and antiquing with her husband, Ralph and spending winters in Englewood, FL. She greeted one and all with a warm smile and will be missed dearly.
She is survived by her husband of 26 years and soul mate, Ralph R. Harding of Derry, who she adored and was often heard to say, “He was the greatest man she ever knew.” She was a devoted mother to nine children, Bruce Gaudette and his wife Lori of Derry, Bonnie DiBenedetto and her husband Paul of Derry, Linda Arias and her husband Robert of Santa Clarita, CA, Cheryl Watson and her husband Gary of Londonderry, NH, Diana Curro and her husband Frank of N. Andover, MA, Ralph Harding III and his wife Julie of Haverhill, MA, Carol Miller and her husband Don of Merrimac, MA, Jean Harding of Haverhill and Susan Harding of Portsmouth. She was also a devoted grandmother of 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Diane DiZoglio and a brother Dale Blanchard.
Visiting hours were held 2-4 and 6-8pm Friday, February 9, 2007 in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 10th at 10:00 AM in the St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 63 E. Broadway, Derry. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Mass General Hospital Development Office, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114 for Sarcoma Research.