Obituary of Paula Marie Filek

FILEK, (Farrell) Paula M. - It is with great sadness I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Paula M. Filek age 76 of Enfield on June 12th, 2020 in the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Whitney Pier, Paula was the daughter of loving parents, Howard and Mary Farrell, Sydney, NS.

Paula was a loving and devoted mother and friend. It would be wrong to say mom lost her battle to cancer because she never stopped fighting. She was always more concerned about how I and everyone else was doing never wanting to admit that she was feeling under the weather or in pain. My mom was my best friend, biggest supporter, closest confidant, my grounding rod.

Mom was a wholesale agent and for a time, owned and operated Paula’s Fashions & Gifts in Elmsdale and Bedford, NS. Mom loved chatting and keeping up with her clients and going to gift shows to find that special something for her customers. Mom looked forward to having her annual fashion show for the Canadian Cancer Society every year and connecting with past, present, and future clients, and friends. Her smile, friendly approach and quick wit turned a fashion show into an event for all to enjoy.                      

She loved to bake and made some of the best cinnamon rolls and tea biscuits around. Mom cherished times spent with friends, family and her fur babies. Her gentle and kind nature was known by all who knew her. She had a sweet smile that would brighten anyone’s day. If you ever needed anything, she was the one you could turn to. Mom was always there as a sounding board, voice of reason, or to give you a reality check, “Put your big girl panties on and deal with it.”.

She is survived by daughter, Carolynn “Carol” (Gerry) Phaneuf, Milford; brothers, Murray (Franchesca) Farrell, Boston; Gerald (Shirley) Farrell, Sydney; sisters, Margaret Farrell, Milford; Dianne (Bobby) Zgoda, Lackawanna, N.Y.; step-sons, Bruce (Jennifer) Filek, Dartmouth; Robert (Donna) Filek, Halifax; daughter-in-law, Wanda, Dartmouth. Paula is also survived by six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Paula was predeceased in death by husband, Ray Filek; parents, Howard and Mary Farrell; brother, Richard “Dick” Farrell, sister, Jean Davies; step-son, Ray Jr.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie. A celebration of life will be held at a later date once COVID-19 virus restrictions are lifted. A private family interment will be held Wednesday June 17^th, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Columbarium, Enfield with Father Darius Miskowicz officiating.  A Live Stream link of the interment service will be provided on Ettinger Funeral Home’s website. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A special heart felt thank you to all the nurses and doctors who cared for mom during her illness especially her palliative care team including nurses, Dr. Courtney Smith, Dr. Hali Bauld, Dr. Pelley and the team at the Cancer Center in Halifax. I’d also like to thank mom’s friends, your comfort and support in good times and bad have meant more then words can say. Mom cherished the gatherings, coffee, cards and quiet times spent with each of you. 

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Paula may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com

                   Always loved....Never forgotten...Forever missed.

                                                I love you always.