Paulette Anna Willard

She was born on October 4, 1932, in Camden, NJ, the only child of Paul Wilhelm and Lillian Esther Helfmann Wildow. She spent her formative years between New Jersey and Indiana during her father’s career with RCA.

Paulette attended Roanoke college, where she became a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, and received her degree in education. During college, she asked one Steve Willard to a Sadie Hawkins dance, which led to a 50-year marriage. Following graduation, she and Steve moved to Charlottesville, where she taught 2nd grade in Albemarle County to help put him through law school. They subsequently made their home in Charlottesville and, after their children were born, she left teaching to raise the kids. She ultimately returned to work, and retired from The Michie Company (LexisNexis). In retirement, Paulette and Steve enjoyed spending time at their mountain home at Wintergreen.

After Steve passed, Paulette moved to CrossRidge in Glen Allen, where she found new community in her neighborhood and church. She was a lifelong reader, participating in many book clubs over the years, and she worked crosswords and mastered word puzzles until the very end. Her volunteer efforts included local schools, Delta Gamma and Girl Scouts, among other organizations. Throughout her life, she could always be found with a faithful feline companion at her side or in her lap.

Paulette was predeceased by her parents, and her husband Stephen C. Willard. She is survived by her son Bruce Willard and wife Nancy of Glen Allen; daughter Becky and husband Donald Bossong of Palmyra; her beloved grandchildren Stephanie and husband Tim Kelly of Denver; Bridget, John and Ben Bossong of Palmyra; and Gabriela Willard of Glen Allen. She also leaves behind her cherished in-laws, Gerald and Deborah Willard of Chickahominy Falls, as well as their children and grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Holly Memorial Gardens, Charlottesville, on Tuesday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. The family thanks the staffs at Manorhouse and Suncrest Hospice for their attentive assistance and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be considered to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, Trinity Lutheran Church (Richmond) or the Suncrest Cares Foundation.