Barbara Paul

Barbara Jean Paul, 74, beloved wife, mother, grandma, aunt and friend passed away peacefully in her home on September 15, 2017 from ovarian cancer. Barbara was born on December 29, 1942 in Paris, Arkansas, the youngest of three children, to James P. and Regina M. (Wahl) Ryan. She moved to Utah at an early age and eventually ended up in Chicago, IL where she met her beloved husband of 49 years, Ralph E. Paul. Barbara and Ralph moved to East Lansing in 1971 and have been Spartan fans ever since.

Barbara is survived by her husband and their four children, James (Jennifer) Paul of Okemos, MI, Patricia Buchert of Cincinnati, OH, Julie (Nate) Paszczykowski of Cincinnati, OH and Bridget (Victor) Thorne of Columbus, OH. Barbara had the great joy to be a grandmother to 9 grandchildren; Ryan Paul (21), Nicholas Paul (18), Jake Paul (16), Thomas Buchert (13), Vincent Buchert (10), Allison Paszczykowski (12), William Paszczykowski (9), Vivian Thorne (8), and Quinn Thorne (5). She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister Mary and is survived by her brother Tom (Yvonne) Ryan of Sacramento, CA. She was also blessed with many wonderful nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Barbara was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing and was known for her love of family and friends. Whether she was working at Marble Elementary school in the front office, East Lansing Schools food service-accounting, volunteering at St. Thomas Aquinas School, where all four children attended, or St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Thomas, Barbara left every place in better shape than when she started. Barbara was an amazing cook. There isn’t a child, grandchild, or friend that didn’t love getting a bag of Barb’s cookies. Most of all, Barbara loved her family and friends with her whole being. Mother Theresa said “Spread love everywhere you go, let no one ever come to you without leaving happier,” and Barbara tried every day to do just that.

Services will be held Saturday, September 23rd at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visitation will begin at 10am with a memorial mass following at 11:00am with The Rev. Mark Inglot officiating. In lieu of flowers Mrs. Paul requested donations be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Thomas

Aquinas.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at: www.greastlansing.com.