Cora Paulson

Cora was born on July 19, 1924, in Bremerton, Washington, to Charles and Nettie Smith. In the 1920s, the Smith family moved to New Jersey when Cora was three years old and younger sister Gloria was still an infant. A few years later, they returned to their Bremerton roots where Charles built the Smith family home near Kitsap Lake.

She attended Bremerton schools as a child, graduating from the original Bremerton High School in 1942. Following a two-year courtship with Raymond Paulson, the couple was married at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bremerton on November 9, 1942.

Ray built the Paulson family home next to the Smith home, where they raised three sons, Rick, Don, and Jim. Ray and Cora lived at their Kitsap Lake home until Ray passed away on December 2, 2011. Shortly after losing her life-long partner, Cora left Bremerton to join her son Jim and his family in South Carolina, where she lived her remaining years.

As an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, she taught Bible Study classes and ministered to those in need of spiritual support. She was also inspired to help the hungry and homeless, providing care packages of food, socks, and blankets.

On the home front, Cora and her gardens were a thing of local legend. Over the years, she transformed a wilderness into a beautiful park-like setting. Her garden even caught the attention of Sunset Magazine from which others could enjoy and appreciate her love of plants.

Cora Paulson is survived by her three sons, several grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Bremerton, Seattle, and South Carolina.

She will be missed by many and was loved by all.