In Memory Of ATALLAH, Paulette

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Private Service
Paulette (Paula) Atallah
January 21, 1932 - May 6, 2020

We are saddened to announce that Paula Atallah passed away peacefully on May 6, 2020. She spent her final moments on the phone with her family, and surrounded by the caring staff at the St. Laurent CHSLD, in Montreal, Canada. Alongside many in our city, Paula was considered a presumptive COVID19 patient.

Predeceased by her parents Raflé and Alexa Atallah, her brothers Antoine (Tony) and her sister Samira, Paula had also just lost her brother Sam three weeks earlier to cancer.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Salwa (Sally) Atallah (nee Haddad, wife of Sam) and her niece and nephew Carole Atallah (Kevin Shanahan, Matthew and Kristina Shanahan) and Ralph Atallah (Allison Weiner, Clara and Ryan Atallah), alongside sister-in-law Nadia Nasrallah (wife of Tony).

Paula was born in Lebanon. She experienced many health issues starting at a very young age including polio, epilepsy, repeat ear infections leading to partial facial paralysis and loss of her ear left drum. Her faith brought her peace and allowed her to maintain a positive attitude grounded in her love of the teachings, rituals and hymns of the Orthodox Church, embracing them all throughout her life.

Paula was always strong-minded, strong-willed and courageous. These traits helped her get through some very trying times in her life including living through many years of the Lebanese Civil War. She always kept on top of the news and current events. She lived most of her life with her younger brother Sam and his family in Lebanon. Paula joined the family in immigrating to Canada in her mid-fifties when many Lebanese were fleeing the country looking for a safer life. Impressively at her stage in life, she took it upon herself to become independent, improving her language skills, and learning to use public transportation to get herself around to visit family, go shopping or attend Church.

In her last few years of her life, she experienced the effects of Alzheimer's disease. She stayed positive and grateful, accepting it as the will of God. She was always smiling and making new friends as she moved into shared residences. She would light up telling the family stories of what was going on in her home.

The family wants to thank the caring and compassionate staff at the CHSLD St Laurent and the Cedars where Paula spent her final years under their care.

Due to the government restrictions on gatherings, a private service will be held in June and a memorial mass will be held at her parish at a later date when it is safe to do so.

In recognition of Paula's faith, the family asks for donations to be made to the place that gave her the strength throughout her life, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (575 Jean Talon St E, Montreal, H2R 1T8), in her memory.