Legion Auxiliary holds Celebration of Life for Paulson
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 136 held a Celebration of Life Nov. 3 to honor its past president, Carol Paulson, who passed away last month.
Auxiliary officers President Linda Lewis, Chaplain Beverly Young and former Chaplain Sonny Koutsoutis conducted the ceremony.
“She became a very special friend,” Koutsoutis said. “A neat lady.”
The service began at 11 a.m.
“Death has entered our ranks and members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 136 are here to pay tribute to one who has been called to the High Command,” Lewis said, which began the service.
The service also featured many individuals who spoke, including American Legion Commander Doc Brooks, Past Commander Barry August, Dept. Squadron Commander Jim Love, SAL Squadron Commander Joey Donkersloot, the district Auxiliary president, Paulson’s son, who spoke for the family, as well as many friends.
During the Celebration of Life, all of the ladies put a white flower in a vase and lit a candle in honor of Paulson.
“I think everyone is going to miss her,” Rubye Woodhead said, adding that she left an impression that will have others fall into her footsteps.
On Sept. 13, 2001, Paulson joined the auxiliary because she was completely devastated by what happened on the day of Sept. 11. She sold 100 flags for people to fly on their car windows from her business in Minnesota with the proceeds going to a Cape Coral family who was directly affected by the terrorist attack.
After that, Paulson was hooked and eventually became the president of the Auxiliary for 4 1/2 years, although they were not all consecutive years. She was the first president to have Unit 136 recognized due to all the trophies and certifications for the work she was doing in the community on Pine Island.
Paulson, 73, of St. James City passed away on Oct. 29. She was born in Milaca, Minn., Feb. 25, 1939.
Betty Miller, Paulson’s sister, said she was quite a fashion queen.
“She was high fashion, very good taste,” Miller said. “She had a lot of clothes, she wore them all well.”
One of the sister’s first entrepreneur adventures occurred after they went to a sample sale of clothing and ended up buying the entire room full and started their own shop.
“That was one of Carol’s good achievements,” Miller said. “We had that for 25 years.”
Their shop contained all children’s clothing.
“It was really fun for all those years,” Miller said.
Once Paulson moved to Pine Island in 1999, she purchased Sarah’s Consignment, which was successful as well.
“She liked to be glamorous,” Miller said.
Paulson was known for her red fingernails and lipstick, her sister said.
“Carol was the one who would try a lot of things, she loved traveling and family,” Miller said.