Paula Yolanda (Madrid) Windham, 75, died June 15, 2018, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Columbine Elementary School in Boulder.
Paula was born August 17, 1942 to Carlos Madrid and Alice (Martinez) Madrid in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
She graduated from Robertson High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from New Mexico Highlands University where she met and fell in love with Thomas Windham, Jr. They were married at First Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, New Mexico on August 27, 1966 and after living in Laramie, Wyoming and Lincoln, Nebraska, settled in Boulder.
An activist for social justice, Paula worked at the Colorado Migrant Council in Denver. After receiving a Master of Education from Antioch University, Paula taught at Columbine Elementary for 24 years, where she touched the lives of hundreds of young, adoring students.
Paula was an avid reader (mystery novels), enjoyed television (anything British), yoga (previously having been an aerobics fanatic), and gardening. Most of all, she was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.
Paula was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Carla and Sylvia (“seester”); and grandson, Xavier.
She is survived by her beloved Thomas (“a *good* man”); children, Carlos, Khadija, and Yusef; grandchildren; and other family, godchildren, and loved ones.
Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.cristmortuary.com. Paula would have loved for any contributions to be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center at: donate.splcenter.org.
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