An Englishman once said of an acquaintance: “That woman has at least eleven parts and they all fit.” Paula Petersen was 73 years old, born on June 13, 1949.
Eight years ago, she came to visit her Art School friend in Burnsville and never left. Friends remember her as fun, creator of whimsical sock monkeys, luminous quilts, origami stars and flowers. She loved to go thrifting, rock hunting, working at Dig In gardens and encouraged people to paint and play. Creativity, teaching, sharing are the things that connect her life.
Paula was born in Atlanta but moved 10 times before she was 11. She went to Hartford School of Art and then travelled to Maine, Illinois, California, Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Connecticut and finally settled here in Burnsville, NC.
She taught art at Shanti School in Conn. and there had a Batik t-shirt business. She worked in the Health Food Industry from Toms Toothpaste, Natures Gate, to Kettle Chips.
Paula also worked as a production assistant on People’s Court. In Mystic Connecticut she owned and operated her store called, Boat Stuff, that sold marine artifacts and she also ran the gift shop at Mystic Seaport.
Paula organized origami parties which was her passion, and her screen name was happy folding.
She is survived by her son, Reeve Petersen, two brothers, James Petersen and Michael Petersen and sister, Marsha Anderson. Her brother, James Petersen recalls that in junior high school, an art teacher told him that your sister has more creativity in her little finger than you have in your entire body. That was a time when teachers weren’t afraid to say what they thought.
Marsha said that She Lived, She Loved, She Laughed, She left.
Paula let go of living on Valentine’s day, February 14, 2023. She will be missed by many.
