Paula Dye Garvey

Born to William Joseph Paul Dye and Ethel Alma Clow Dye on December 14, 1932 at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, NH, Paula Torner Dye Garvey began a structured, studious and selfless life. As the oldest grandchild of Dr. Fred Clow, one of the founders of Huggins, she rightfully developed her sense of community and commitment to service.

Today, 90 years later, Paula rests with her heavenly Father at the right hand of her beloved Mary. She was welcomed into heaven by son Stephen Dye Garvey and husband William Henry Garvey who predeceased her in 1999 and 2008 respectively. 

She leaves here, May 11, 2023, on this Earthly plane, her sister Mary “Mimi” Carolyn Dye, her brother-in-law J. David Dunham and her 6 surviving children:  Linda (David) Garvey-Dickey, William Joseph Paul (Monica) Garvey, Anne (David) Garvey Corson, Carolyn Mary Garvey, Irene Grace (Todd) Garvey and Peter Andrew (Gina) Garvey. Fourteen grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren also grace this planet.

Carpenter School, Brewster Academy, Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA, UNH, Massasoit Community College and Bentley College in Waltham, MA met their match when Paula walked into those hallowed halls. Ever the student, she exceeded all expectations and eventually earned degrees in Science and Accounting. 

Marrying in 1950, Paula and Bill began their family. They eventually settled in South Weymouth, MA. St. Francis Xavier became their parish, after Paula converted to Catholicism in 1952. Her strong faith and her relationship with our Heavenly Father sustained her throughout the years. 

After decades of service to Weymouth Youth Hockey, the Weymouth March of Dimes, and her church, all the while raising 7 children, Paula established her tax preparation and bookkeeping business. She became renowned for her attention to detail, her dogged digging into tax code and her dedication to the clients’ financial well-being. 

In 2008, Paula moved into the Sewall Road family cottage that she inherited, purchased by Dr. Paul Dye in 1946. This allowed a return to her beloved Wolfeboro to live out the rest of her life. She continued her tax business there and also contributed her talents to the Kingswood Golf Club board of directors for 7 years and the Huggins Hospital Street Fair founded by her mother Ethel.

Up until the end, the two greatest joys in Paula’s life were St. Katharine Drexel’s Catholic Church and the Wright Museum. She took pride in her involvement in both organizations. She worked on  the parish council, the friendly visitors ministry and the finance committee. She was a greeter and a lector in her beloved church. In the Wright Museum you could find Paula behind the cash register of the gift shop. Artifacts from her life growing up in Wolfeboro during WWII are scattered throughout the museum. Her first-hand stories rest in the hearts of countless people.

Paula’s final days surrounded by family at the cottage allowed her time to share more thoughts. She insisted that everyone know how much she loved, admired and appreciated them and the joy they shared playing golf, attending church functions, swimming and boating on the lake. Due to declining health, Paula was unable to reach out via phone or handwritten note.  

On June 24, 2023, a memorial mass at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Alton, NH will be held at 11 o’clock. All are welcome to join in celebrating Paula’s life and legacy. There will be a gathering in the church hall after mass. She requests no flowers but rather donations to the Wright Museum or St. Katharine Drexel. Paula would also be thrilled if you simply shared love with others, just as she did.