Paula was married to Donald Lilja for 48 years. Paula spent many years not only education others in the field of nursing, but educating herself as well. Paula raised six children while earning her Master’s and a Doctorate in Nursing. Her career spanned over forty years in many areas of nursing. She taught nursing at Biola University, Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State. She had a major influence in public health. She held the job as Director of Public Health Nursing for Orange County California. Paula later blended her nursing experience with her love of God by becoming a parish nurse at the Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton where she was a member for many years. She got involved and developed an online class to train nurses to become parish nurses/faith community nurses in their own churches and communities. She reached many nurses from not only this country but as far as the Ukraine with the online class she developed. In Paula’s later years she became involved with Anchor Point pregnancy center as a board member. She used her expertise in nursing to help support and expand the pregnancy center. She used her nursing experience to minister to others throughout her life.
Paula is survived by her husband Donald and their six children and their families; Mary Collins and sons Byron, Garrett, Justin and daughter Julianna, Eric and his wife Maureen, Kenny and his wife Stephanie and twins Jackson and Addie, Anna Marie Hansen and her husband Jack and son Zack, Cyndee Chattin and her husband Tony daughter Bridgett and sons Brad, Kyle and Jake, Cathy Reed, daughter Cailyn and son Tyler. Paula’s sister, Anna Marie Embrey and husband Al son Jim Hilburn and wife Cindy daughter Danielle and son Conner.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church at 1506 Bayport Blvd. in Seabrook, Texas, October 9, 2019 at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038 at 10:45 October 10, 2019.
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