Paula R. (Nicolini) DeCain

Paula Rose (Nicolini) DeCain, 90, passed away surrounded by her family on November 24 after a brief deterioration of numerous medical conditions. Paula was born on Patriot’s Day, April 19, 1932, to the late Rebecca (Brady) and Lawrence Nicolini both of Dorchester MA and died in the same house in Revere (Beachmont), MA. She was the beloved wife of William DeCain Jr for 69 years. Paula was the youngest of seven children and is predeceased by her six siblings and their spouses; Phyllis Chaffee (Newman), Lawrence Nicolini (Rita), John Nicolini (Betty), Ernestine Parro (Buddy), Florence Boudreau (Bill), and Connie Simonson (Joe). Not only were her sisters’ her siblings, but they were all best friends, nurturing each other’s children as if they were their own.

Paula graduated from Revere High School class of 1950 and soon met the love her life, William “Bill” DeCain after an introduction from mutual friends on Revere Beach. After their marriage in 1953 at her beloved Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Beachmont, Paula focused her time raising her four children. When all her children were settled in school, Paula brought her positive spirit to a position at the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston as a photo licensing specialist. Despite the RMV’s notorious waiting lines, patrons encountered kindness, patience, and joy from Paula and often sent letters articulating their positive experience. Many co-workers referred to her as the “friendliest and most caring employee” while her superiors recognized her ability to manage the demands of her job with grace and tolerance. However, the daily commutes driving through the Sumner Tunnel with her dear friend Regina Franovich when Paula’s calm nature became momentarily fiery, made for some entertaining stories through the years! Paula simply loved her work and loved working with the public; she was fiercely loyal with a hardworking spirit which kept her at the RMV until her retirement.

Paula was known as a gentle, kind, generous woman who loved her Catholic faith, her extended family, her friends, neighbors, her children’s friends, her community, and anyone who entered her presence. While Bill proudly served in the US Navy, Paula spent time with Bill’s mother absorbing the techniques of his mother’s style of Italian cooking so that when Bill’s deployment was complete, they married and began their life together. “Paula’s meatballs and gravy” were known as an essential dish in the family, a secret that no matter how she explained to others, only she could replicate.

As Paula’s condition worsened and resulted in confinement, it was in that same home that Paula was lovingly cared for by her husband with family and friends cheering them on. The family would like to express their appreciation to Care Dimensions Hospice who provided the necessary support so that Paula could remain in her home until her last breath.

The family would also like to thank Dr Elizabeth Walsh and her staff at the MGH Breast Cancer Center in Danvers who provided Paula with exceptional empathetic care making it possible for our time with Paula to be as abundant as possible. Appointments with Dr Walsh included Paula’s concern for Dr. Walsh and her family; “tell me about your boys” Paula would ask, to which Dr. Walsh would kindly share a tale or two of tutoring her children during the pandemic.

Paula is also survived by her four children; Michael DeCain of Lynn MA, Donald DeCain and his wife Pamela Mays of Long Meadow MA, Marianne Tarraza and her husband Jeffrey Whitaker of Cape Elizabeth ME, William III (Billy) and his wife Mary of Weymouth MA, Grandchildren; Christian Whitaker, Taylor Tarraza and her fiancé Joe Griswold, Tiffany DeCain and her fiancé Andy Menard, Fr. William Tarraza OFM-CAP, Heidi Dawkins and her husband Andrew, Cameron DeCain, Kristina DeCain, Maya DeCain; Great grandchildren, Ellias, Oliver, Max, Piper, Lennon and Leo. She is also survived by her son in law, Dr. Hector Tarraza, her beloved nieces, nephews, their spouses, godchildren, great nieces, great nephews, special friends, neighbors and especially their remarkable and loving next door neighbors Paul and Gail O’Brien, who have helped the family to preserve Paula and Bill’s ability to safely remain in their home throughout these years.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the Visitation from the Ernest P. Caggiano and Son Funeral Home, 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated by her grandson Fr William Tarraza, OFM-CAP in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop, at 10:00 AM. Services will conclude with the interment in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. For all of those who want to gather there will be a luncheon celebration following her burial at The Winthrop Arms, Hotel and Restaurant 130 Grovers Street Winthrop MA.

Due to the limitation of Paula’s health complicated by the pandemic’s quarantine, Catholic TV was the lifeline for Paula’s sustenance of her faith and connection to the outside world. On her behalf and in lieu of flowers donations to Catholic TV may be made at www.catholictv.org.

To watch the livestream of the funeral mass go www.stjohnswinthrop.org. 

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