Obituaries

It is with immense sadness that we share the passing of Mary Pauletta Jean (Paulie; P.J.) Woodworth, age 70, at the Halifax Infirmary, surrounded by family on June 4th, 2024.

Paulie was the proud mother of Jeffrey and Melissa Watkins (Chris Jess) and cherished Grammie of Georgia Mae, Chris & Melissa’s daughter.

Paulie was predeceased by her parents, Lester and Mona Woodworth of Lake Echo, NS and is fondly remembered by her brothers Terry (Audrey), Sonny (Charles Bordage), and Andrew (Wendy) and their children, her niece and nephew Abby and Isaac, as well as her aunts Phyllis (Gerry) and Cheryl (Syd). P.J. will be especially missed by her cousin Susan “Sue” Norman-Carter, who was a lifelong friend, confidante and accomplice.

Paulie was born in the spring of 1954 in Dartmouth, NS, and grew up in Lake Echo, where she spent her childhood years stealing candy and smokes from her grandparents’ canteen. A teenager when her brothers were born, she quickly became “little mummy” gaining practice raising children, which would prove useful when she started a family with her high school sweetheart. Paulie raised children and livestock at the homestead in Grand Desert while Everett was away at sea, but as they say, nothing lasts forever. She remained romantically optimistic and was remarried for a handful of years before deciding she might be better off without a man. Despite the outcomes of her marriages, she lived a life full of love.

Paulie loved nature. Family time was often spent camping and hiking or hanging out at the beach, often before the fog had lifted. She dedicated many years as a leader with Girl Guides of Canada, sharing her camping, crafting, and resourcefulness with dozens of young women and girls who knew her affectionately as “Thumper.” Paulie found great joy in volunteering her time to empower young people through Guiding and considered it one of her proudest achievements and great fun.

And, boy, did she love to have fun! Paulie loved a good party and could usually be found having a puff and belting out a bluegrass tune wherever her beloved friends with guitars gathered. Unable to keep up with many of her favourite people and activities in recent years as her mobility waned, Paulie will also be fondly remembered by her many Hen-friends who shared much fun, games, and shenanigans over the years.

From the goat and chickens that followed her around the barnyard in Grand Desert to the animals she groomed and cared for at the Lawrencetown and St. Margaret’s Bay Veterinary Hospitals, Paulie loved animals and animals loved her. She had a gift for understanding animals’ emotions and found much joy in the companionship of her many rescued pets.

While she would sometimes joke that she preferred her pets to people, she also cherished her friendships and her family above all, sharing a special connection with her granddaughter Georgia and fully embracing her identity as Grammie P.J.

She sometimes felt that her 19 years working for “The Man” at the NS Department of Natural Resources conflicted with her personal priorities, but she made many good friends there over the years and retired proud and with a sense of accomplishment.

Paulie lived her life in accordance with a few guiding principles. “The universe will provide” was her way of putting her trust in a higher power and not worrying about the things we cannot control. She did her best to “live in the moment,” embracing spontaneity whenever possible. Finally, she would remind us all to "check your ego" and “be good, have fun, and play safe.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM

Traveling Wilburys “End of the line”

Well, it's all right riding around in the breeze
Well, it's all right if you live the life you please
Well, it's all right doing the best you can
Well, it's all right as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (at the end of the line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (at the end of the line, of the line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (at the end of the line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well, it's all right even if they say you're wrong
Well, it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well, it's all right as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well, it's all right, every day is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (at the end of the line)
You'll think of me and wonder where I am these days (at the end of the line, of the line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (at the end of the line)
Purple haze

Well, it's all right even when push comes to shove
Well, it's all right if you got someone to love
Well, it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well, it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (at the end of the line)
I'm just glad to be here, happy to be alive (at the end of the line, of the line)
It don't matter if you're by my side (at the end of the line)
I'm satisfied

Well, it's all right even if you're old and gray
Well, it's all right, you still got something to say
Well, it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well, it's all right, the best you can do is forgive

Well, it's all right (all right), riding around on the breeze
Well, it's all right (all right), if you live the life you please
Well, it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well, it's all right (all right), we're going to the end of the line

Songwriters: George Harrison / Roy Orbison / Thomas Earl Petty / Jeffrey Lynne / Robert Dylan

End of the Line lyrics © Umlaut Corporation, Laut Music, Umsongs, Umlaut Corporation

There will be a celebration of Paulie’s life later this summer, with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, those wanting to memorialize Paulie can do so by contributing to Bryony House or writing her name in the sand at Grand Desert Beach