Obituary of Evalyn J. Paulson

Evalyn Johanna Jacobson Paulson, 100, of 243 Hallock St. Jamestown passed away peacefully at 6:00 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2016, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. A Jamestown resident since 1947, she was born September 6, 1915 in Salamanca, NY, a daughter of the late John Martin and Augusta Paulson Jacobson. A child of Swedish immigrants, Evalyn spoke Swedish until first grade, when she learned English. From a young age, she wanted to be a teacher, subjecting her 3 younger brothers to many hours of "playing school". She was a 1933 graduate of Salamanca High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1939 from Alfred University. She earned her Master's Degree in 1950 from Alfred University, with coursework from attending Columbia Teacher's College. Evalyn spent summers from 1931-37 as a counselor at the Cattaraugus Health Camps at Allegheny State Park. She was also Girl Scout Camp director there the summer of 1940. Her first full-time teaching job was in Springville NY at Griffith Institute in the early 1940's. In 1946 she began teaching English at Jamestown High School, where she taught for 31 years, retiring in 1977. She enjoyed serving as the Red & Green Yearbook faculty advisor for many years, and as a class advisor. In the 1970's she also taught Swedish at JHS, re-learning the language she had spoken early in life. She always enjoyed hearing from former students and reminiscing about times spent in her "home room" and her classes. Evalyn was confirmed at the Mt. Nebo Church in Mount Jewett, PA and was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church in Jamestown where she had sung in the choir, served on the church council, and loved attending services and Bible Study. She was very proud of her service as president of the Ladies Aide, and the contributions made to the church, including financial help in refurbishing the First Lutheran Church bell. The Lutheran faith was the foundation of her life. She was active in community affairs, with memberships in the Thule Lodge 127 VASA Order of America, Westside Women, the Mozart Club, Jamestown Audubon Society, Fenton Historical Society, Marvin Community House and Mt. Sinai-Mecca Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as President and Membership Chairman of the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation and was a literacy volunteer at the James Prendergast Free Library. Promotion of Swedish and Scandinavian Studies was one of her life's passions, as was introducing others to the beauty of English literature (especially Shakespeare) and grammar. In retirement, Evalyn took up new interests including quilting with the YWCA group, stamp collecting, genealogy, and gardening. She and her husband traveled to Sweden to meet relatives and continue her research on her Swedish ancestry. She renewed an interest in playing the piano, with in-home lessons from Helga Hulse. She made "puttering at her desk" an art form, enjoying opening the daily mail, writing many letters, and saving every greeting card she received. She was a rare individual who sincerely looked forward to working on her income taxes each year. Her great loves were her family, and she was a tireless and patient caregiver for her husband Carl, who suffered with Alzheimer's Disease and passed away at the age of 79. She was one of the earliest supporters of the WNY Alzheimer's Association and helped start a local support group for those caring for someone with dementia. Her granddaughters were especially cherished, to whom she was always "Mormor". She loved hearing from them via phone, e-mails, and Skype, and was interested in all facets of their lives. From the time they entered college up to the week of her death, she continued to write them a note each week, enclosing $5 "folding money". Evalyn's last years at her home were special, as she was cared for by her family, home care providers, and her dedicated helper, Denise. Although her mobility became very limited, she treasured the time at home, hearing what was in the day's headlines or just "sitting and looking at things and thinking about them". She celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at home, enjoying the day immensely. Surviving are a daughter, Martha (Lamont Wager) Paulson of Jamestown, two granddaughters, Anna Wager of Seattle, WA, Elizabeth Wager of New Haven, CT, two sister-in-laws, Iris Jacobson of Salamanca, NY and Roberta Stone of Killbuck, NY, as well as many loved nieces and nephews, and their families. She is also survived by Lamont and Martha's extended family, to whom she was also Mormor. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl H. Paulson, whom she married April 30, 1947 and who died August 24, 1982. Also, three brothers, Leonard, Harold and Martin Jacobson, and a sister-in-law, Frances Jacobson. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am Friday in Memorial Chapel of First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 pm Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St. Jamestown, NY 14701, Lutheran Social Services Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to a charity of one's choice.