Paula Ayers Steele's Obituary
Paula Ayers Steele of Lewes, DE, age 76, passed away at home, surrounded by loving family, on Monday, July 3, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born in Wilmington, DE on October 16, 1946, she was the daughter of Warren H. and Ellen A. (Connor) Ayers.
A native Delawarean, Paula graduated from AI DuPont High School in 1964, and went on to work as a Social Work Assistant with Christiana Care. Her desire to stick up for and assist those in need was central to her life. She retired in 2013 and soon thereafter moved to Lewes to be closer to family. She embraced the slower lower life after working tirelessly for many years, oftentimes scoring a prime parking spot at Lewes Beach armed with a good book.
An avid fan of both soap operas and meandering Sunday drives, Paula provided loved ones with whatever they needed to tackle the twists and turns in their lives, whether that entailed sorting out the plot, or encouraging them to simply appreciate the ride. Paula was always ready to hand out tough love, soft love, and everything in between.
In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her brother, Warren H. Ayers II. She is survived by her daughters: Adriane D. Gallagher, of Lewes, DE, Terra E. Dillon of Rehoboth Beach, DE; her son, Matthew Dillon of Rehoboth Beach, DE; daughter-in-law, Tabitha Golt; daughter by love, Tamara Keen; her grandchildren: Patrick Connor Gallagher, Madeline Anne Gallagher, Gavan Dylan MacNamara, Aidan David Dillon Leary, Kyleese Imajin Dillon, Adriahna Kayli Dillon and Iris Normalise Dillon; and her brother Frederick R. Ayers of Punta Gorda, FL.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit at 10:00 AM.
All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via live streaming by visiting the following link: http://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11082741/LTWebcast
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Paula's name to the Women's Refugee Commission, 15 West 37th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018 (www.womensrefugeecommission.org), or Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958 (www.beebehealthcare.org/beebe-medical-foundation).
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2023, AT OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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