STILLWATER, NY -- Paula Burgess, 61, died unexpectedly while visiting close friends on the Cape - her favorite place.

Paula is survived by her sister, Michele Homicz and her husband, Bruce; her brother, Peter Burgess; her niece and godchild, Megan Marshall, her nieces, Renee Charbonneau and Karole Ferguson; her nephews, Brian, Jason, Aaron and Joshua Charbonneau, and her great-nephew, Nathan Charbonneau.

She was born Dec. 1, 1948, in Stillwater. Her parents were James Harold and Rita Flynn Burgess.

Paula is predeceased by her parents, her sister, Karen Charbonneau and her sister's husband, Francis.

Paula graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, N.Y., Maria College in Albany, N.Y., and SUNY Oswego. She earned her master's degree at SUNY Albany.

Paula devoted her life to her career as a kindergarten teacher for 38 years at Stillwater Central School. She thoroughly enjoyed her pupils and experienced many happy and funny moments throughout the years. Her dedication and devotion to her students was evident to her family and friends by her endless hours of projects and papers and by her struggle to continue working during years of dialysis. Paula was a great example of determination to all who knew her.

Paula loved to travel with friends and family, enjoyed hiking and skiing, and did not allow her disease to keep her from experiencing new adventures.

We would like to give a very heartfelt sincere thanks to her faithful friends who provided transportation to and from dialysis for nine years. We cannot express our admiration for such caring, devoted, selfless people. We would also like to provide a special thanks to the staff at the Rubin Center in Clifton Park and the Dialysis Center at Albany for all their care and attention to our sister and aunt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation or to the Rubin Dialysis Center in Clifton Park in lieu of flowers.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St Peter's Parish in Stillwater on Saturday July 3, 2010, at 1 p.m.
 

The entire Stillwater community mourns the loss of our beloved friend and teacher, Paula Burgess Niles. Ms. Burgess touched the lives of many children and families during her long career. Please take a moment to remember her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Services will take place on Saturday, July 3, 1:00 pm at St. Peter's Church on Hudson Avenue in Stillwater."