PAUL, Ada Rose Mary (Phelan)

With heavy hearts, the family of Ada Paul wishes to announce her passing on Tuesday, February

13, 2024, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital, at the age of 94, after a long and happy life.

Beloved wife of the late Clifford Paul (1999). Loving mother of Joseph (Judy), Patrick (Alice),

Michael (Julie), Christopher (Kathy), Stephen (Kathy), Rose Marie Longley (Andrew) and Anna

Maria Remple (Erik). Cherished grandmother and great-grandmother of Simon, Graham

(Vanessa); Lindsay (Spencer), Corey (Jena) and children Carter and Lily; Michelle (Ryan),

Andrew (Sara) and children Berkley, Oakley and Lochlan; Jason (LeeAnne) and son Garrett,

Kevin (Reagan) and children Ava and Emmitt, Jeffery (Kyra); Kyla (Kurtis), Melanie; Kathleen,

Aidan; Ciara (Kolten), Ryan and Paul. Dear sister of Teresa Romeo, Anne Burtnik (Mel) and

sister-in-law of Lillian Phelan, Pat McCauley (Jim), John Paul (Jean), Margaret Paul and Evelyn

Paul. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Predeceased

by her parents Vincent and Ada Phelan, grandson Christopher Paul (1990), brothers Vincent,

Allan, Jack, Edward, Paul and Gerald, sisters Marie Day, Agnes Pepin, Margaret Kirkpatrick,

Helen Clutterbuck and Patricia Bevan, and many wonderful in-laws.

 

Born in St. Catharines on June 10, 1929, Ada was the tenth child in the Phelan clan, and she was

blessed her entire life with the love and friendship of siblings. A lover of words and languages, Ada attended St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, where she studied English, French

and Latin. After graduating in 1950, she married the love of her life, Cliff Paul, and moved to

their home in Niagara-on-the-Lake where she resided for the rest of her days. Ada spent several

years as a French and English teacher with both the Catholic and Public School Boards, and she

especially enjoyed her years at Grantham High School in the 1960s. Ada and Cliff took joy in

raising their children in the country where there were always animals to feed, gardens to plant,

work to do and fun to be had. As a grandmother, Ada was a regular party and sleepover host,

storyteller, pool supervisor, excursion planner, ice cream scooper and overseer of corn husking

and other jobs. She was never happier than during gatherings at “the farm” with her immediate

and extended family, neighbours and friends. She spent hours using her extraordinary computer

skills for many tasks including extensive research into the Phelan genealogy records. Ada made

lifelong friends in the Irish dance community, and for many years she was chairperson of the St.

Catharines Feis, promoting Irish dance and culture in the area. Ada found happiness in the

simple things: a butterfly, a starry night, a full moon, a unique cloud formation, a poem, a

Gordon Lightfoot song or a Blue Jays victory. A longtime member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish,

her faith guided her through her life. We will always treasure the many lessons that she taught us

and the love that she had for us. “And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.

 

Ada’s family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and others who looked after her through the years, especially Dr. Walser-Jebb, Foot Nurse Michele and the wonderful nurses and personal support workers in the Rainbow Unit of the GNGH. These women and men went “above and beyond” for her, and we are grateful for their kindness and dedication. Special thanks to Nursing Student Julia, who always brightened Ada’s day.

 

The family will receive friends at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent St.,

Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Prayers will be said at the funeral home on

Friday at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 73 Picton

Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 11 a.m. The Rite of Committal

will follow at the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial

donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Parish or to the Niagara Health Foundation. Memories,

photos, and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com