Paula Jo Denney Jacques passed away on June 26, 2020 while in the embrace of her husband and two sons. She was born on July 19, 1954 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. She grew up as an army brat living in many states and Germany. Those living experiences helped develop her naturally shy personality into a social master of communication. She was a smart and savvy listener who could read people with ease making for a unique blend of friends.
Paula is survived by her loving husband Chris, two sons Gillian (Sarah) and Bryson (Nicole) and 6 grandchildren, Lucia, Baylor, Wyatt, Amalia, Ewan and Cormac, sister Linda (Steve) Morgan, brothers Craig (Janet) Denney and Bruce Denney, mother and father in law Allan and Jeannine Jacques and three sister in laws Ellene Peters, Sharon Jacques and Elizabeth Cassleman, nephews Neal (Laura) Morgan, Patrick Cassleman, Paul (Rachel) Cassleman, Sean (Carly) Cassleman, David (Morgan) Cassleman and Louis Cassleman.
Paula is preceded in death by her father and hero Robert Eugene Denney who referred to her as Peanut because she was so small and mother Frances Ann Denney (nee Taylor), grandparents Jesse and Martha Denney (nee Fox) and Jarve and Katherine Marie Taylor (nee Brugemann), aunts Ocy Pauline Denney Richeson, Rita Joan Denney (Paula’s namesakes) and Pearl Denney and uncles Edsel and Everett Denney.
Paula met her husband of over 43 years at Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a B.S. degree in marketing. Paula raised two sons who turned into fine men of whom she was very proud. She was a very loving mother and used her skills as a communicator to develop them into the men they are today. Although Paula’s husband Chris was the love of her life, her father was equally important. He instilled in her the concept of unconditional love for family and her desire to serve others as a volunteer. She fit Mother Teresa’s model of “A life not lived for others is not a life”. Paula lived a wonderful life! Her free spirit was alive in every step of her life.
Paula was a consummate volunteer. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for over twenty-five years helping build houses and working as an interviewer of potential homeowners. She and Chris sponsored one new homeowner helping the owner and her children through a range of challenges during the building process and into the years following completion. Paula was very active as a volunteer at Frederik Meijer Gardens putting in thousands of hours working in the Gift Shop and at the front desk. She worked as an employee for a number of years at the Gardens with a variety of responsibilities including the Christmas Tree and Butterfly annual exhibitions. Her creative talents for design and color were put to good use. Beyond Habitat and Meijer Gardens, she volunteered Wednesdays at God’s Kitchen preparing and serving food to those in need. She volunteered with Hospice where her listening talents were greatly appreciated by those for whom she was caring. Early in her volunteer career she was able to satisfy her love for art by volunteering as a docent with the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Besides volunteering, Paula had several businesses that allowed to express her flair for art, color and design. She was a talented upholsterer making some unique furniture pieces for local artists. Her jewelry business, A Little Bit Sassy, produced colorful, whimsical beaded bracelets and necklaces.
Paula will be greatly missed by many people. She’ll be missed by her playing card friends and by family and friends who experienced all of the new recipes she tried over many years when entertaining. She loved to entertain. Those meals were always delicious treats. Finally, her signature “baby” blankets for newborns will be missed as will all her volunteering.
Memorial Contributions can be made in Paula's honor to the Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, either by mail @ 425 Pleasant St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or online at https://www.habitatkent.org/donate/
The celebration of Paula's life can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/eyFeAjQrNkw
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