OBITUARY: Paula Marie Gallant, 63

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Paula Marie (Williams) Gallant, age 63, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away on December 14, 2025, following a courageous and unwavering battle with GVHD.

Paula was born on March 23, 1962, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She was the cherished daughter of the late Paul Williams and Barbara E. (Slevoski) Dunn. Paula was raised and educated in Chelsea, where she formed lifelong friendships and met the love of her life.

Paula met her husband, Paul Gallant, while they were growing up in Chelsea. They married in the early 1980s and made their home in Wilmington, where they raised their two beloved daughters, Meaghan and Katelyn. Paula was a devoted wife, an exceptional homemaker, and a wonderful mother. Her family was always her greatest priority.

Known affectionately as the “cool mom,” Paula opened her heart and her home to everyone. She had an open-door policy and welcomed her daughters’ friends as if they were her own. Paula was born to be a host and took great joy in bringing people together. She especially loved the holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas were her favorites—and she had a remarkable gift for making those times truly magical for her family.

Paula shared a special and loving bond with her husband Paul, and together they cherished watching their daughters grow, built their lives, and eventually became loving grandparents. They enjoyed relaxing together in their yard by the pool and soaking in the simple pleasures of being together.

Paula adored her daughters unconditionally and was their biggest confidant and supporter. She never missed a cheerleading competition, skating event, or school activity, and she was endlessly proud of Meaghan and Katelyn, never missing an opportunity to tell them how deeply she loved them.

Becoming “Nanny” to her grandchildren was one of Paula’s greatest joys. She Facetimed daily, celebrating every milestone and moment, and her love for her grandchildren knew no bounds.

Paula was diagnosed with cancer more than twelve years ago and faced her illness head-on with strength, courage, and grace. After receiving a bone marrow transplant, she became a survivor and continued to inspire everyone around her. With her positive attitude and warm spirit, Paula became affectionately known as the “mayor” of the Feldberg 7 and Shapiro 7 floors at Beth Israel Hospital. Even in the midst of her own fight, she brought joy, comfort, and encouragement to nurses, doctors, and fellow patients with her radiant smile and kind words.

Paula will be remembered for her boundless love, selflessness, and compassion. She loved without judgment, always putting others before herself, and never complained. She was a strong and inspiring role model to her family and all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

Paula was the beloved wife of Paul Gallant; devoted mother of Meaghan Gallant and her late fiancée, Nathan Regan, of Wilmington, and Katelyn Caruso and her husband, Jack, of Watertown; and loving “Nanny” to the late Logan Regan, Marley Caruso, and Archer Caruso. She was the dear sister of Walter Williams and his wife, Kim, of Revere; Robert Dunn of New Jersey; the late Shamus Dunn; and Cheryl Riley of Wilmington. She was also the sister-in-law of Janet Gallant and her late husband Ricky Gallant. Paula is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather for visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Avenue (Route 62), Wilmington, on Friday, December 19, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Dorothy’s Church, Main Street (Route 38), Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Paula’s name may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancer United), P.O. Box 22470, New York, NY 10087-2470, or to New England Donor Services, 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451.