Paula

Paula Davis worked for Al Bourdeau Insurance Agency for about 3.5 years. She was eager, happy, and very professional. Anyone who had a chance to work with Paula enjoyed her positive personality and enthusiasm. She made friends easily and took great care of our customers. Paula was self-motivated to constantly improve herself. We could all learn a great deal from this beautiful woman.

Paula entered the hospital at the end of November, and quickly deteriorated. She died on December 13, 2007. No one had any idea that she was so ill, including herself. Her death has come as a shock to everyone around her. We mourn the passing of this friend and co-worker.

If you knew Paula and would like to leave a comment about her, you can send a note to us by clicking here.

From Tia Vang

Paula brought a more personal Christmas into the office. For the past 2 years, we have been doing "Kris Kringler". We drew a name from her hat. On the list, were be 3 things that the kringle wants at a limited price range like $10. This year we bought 5 items from the dollar store. Five days before our Christmas Luncheon, each day we put out a dollar store present. On the day of our Christmas Luncheon, everyone brings the main gift and put it under the Christmas Tree. Before you open the gift, you will have to guess who your Kris Kringler is.

For the past 2 years, around this time of the year, it was jolly and full of laughter in the office. Paula was going from desk to desk taking pictures of everyone and their present. It felt like the office was full of Christmas spirit, giving, laughing, sharing, etc. This year, after everyone drawn from her hat, she got very sick. Even though she was in the hospital, she called me and asked me to buy for her kringle. Simone dropped off $15 so that her kringler will not be left out. On the first day of our Kris Kringler, she called me to make sure I didn't forget her person. Also she asked to see what everyone received. We spoke for less than 10 minutes because she was having a hard time breathing. We tried very hard to get into the Christmas spirit. It was not like the past two years with her around. Their were and sadness tears in many people's eyes. Especially on the day of our Luncheon and we discovered that she will not make it. It was quiet and sad in our office. No matter how much we tried to laugh, sadness is all around. We all know that Paula will not want us to be in that kind of mood, but we cannot help it.

We don't know if we can continue this tradition. Kris Kringler was brought to us by Paula D. Davis. It will hurt to much to continue this tradition without her. Paula was full of energy and fun. She will be greatly missed. She had touched each and everyone of us in a way. And that is the Paula that we will always remember, full of energy and excitement.

Last night, I had a dream of Paula. I came into work and she was working, full of life and energy. Paula was smiling walking from desk to desk, dropping off files. She did not say a word to me or anyone. She was just smiling and working very hard. She is still the fun and loving Paula that I remembered. And that is the way I will always remember her.

From Estella Espinoza

We were fast friends in a short amount of time, Prayer partners and Co-workers.

I have a few memories tell you a little about Paula. One time, she and I were at a Jazz Club and it was amateurs night. A man got up and dedicated a song to me called "Blanket of my Love". Let's just say it was truly amateur night. She waited until the middle of the week to belt out his tune to me because she knew that it was most embarrassing to me! It was moment that I never wanted to relive. However, she and I laughed till we cried! Be careful who you give your business cards too ! :)

Another time she put a HUGE RUBBER RAT on my purse (during Halloween). When I saw it, I screamed loud enough for everyone in the office to hear. I also said some real unkind words! It was soooooooooooooo funny to paula she said she would have done it again just to see my reaction! (she could be a real prankster)

I will miss the paper ball fights that we use to have over the cubicles. I would drop one and wait for a response.She would come over to my cubicle hours later just when I forgot about it and throw about 10 or 12 paper balls right at me when I was not expecting it! "Of coarse this was paper from the trash not the good stuff Bob!"

I will miss watching the Pistons with her, sharing snacks, Rasheed Wallace was her man!

She was a lover of words. Kip always brought her in the Readers Digest and she would rip out the words of the week or words of the day page and study them.

• P - Professional - Efficient, Clients loved her, Enjoyed her job
• A - Aware that she was a Child of God
• U - Unique - Always humble, Honest, Thankful, Well respected
• L - Loved by all
• A - A gift that was so good the Lord just had to have her with him.

From Marsha Krozek

Paula always said she felt so blessed when she started working here, that her life had turned around. To have called her my “friend” was a blessing for me. I was Mamabear, and she said the name sure fit me, as I looked out for everyone here in the office, and she felt so blessed that she had me as a friend. For her to have said that made me feel very lucky also. She was so proud of the fact that she was over 90 days smoke free, and was looking to lose weight , so we joined Weight Watchers together some 8 weeks ago, as this illness was taking over her body. She tried not to let it take her spirit, but we all knew she was hurting. Now I know her spirit will be watching over all of us as we carry on without her.

From Robert H. Bourdeau

Whenever I would talk with Paula on the phone or in person, she was always so incredibly optimistic. She had a great smile, and everything about her was genuine. I was always impressed by her desire to improve herself. She stayed busy with many activities, and had a plan of where she was going.

From Keith Tappan Sr.

This is about Paula, but remember my personality when I tell this---- Paula sits (sat) just outside my office so she got used to my conversations with clients and we used to have fun with my explaining what was going on with some of my accounts; Paula adapted very well to clients ideosyncrasies. Even though I keep my radio volume down, Paula used to "groove" on the rock'n'roll from my radio. I really liked Paula (obvious, huh?).

From Wendy Bourdeau

Paula was just very simply an incredibly sweet, precious lady. Kind and always gentle. She was very sensitive and built strong lasting relationships with all of those around her. All of her coworkers held her in the highest esteem and the loss of her has been felt enormously especially on a personal level here in the Farmington Hills office. She juggled many roles even here at work. She was not only a coworker but a very dear friend, confidant and support system for many of those surrounding her. Even many of her customers have felt a personal relationship with her on some level. I have one customer that I had insured for many many years but never wrote the auto. After Paula came to work at ABIA, I quoted on it and got it as she had handled his auto at a previous agency that she worked at and my customer (liked my proposal) but also was swayed in that he loved working with Paula. Writing this reminds me that there are customers that should be made aware of her passing. I just can’t remember them all. Paula absolutely adored her new little grandbaby, Ryan. He was her screen saver, most recently as a little Halloween peapod.

From Don Bourdeau

I appreciated Paula’s sense of humor and her positive attitude. She was concerned about continuing her education and making herself more valuable as an employee and as a person. She made friends wherever she went. She will be missed.

From Robert L. Bourdeau

"See you at the Christmas lunch buffet, Paula" were my words as I walked past Paula's desk. Two weeks later Paula left a memory I will never forget. Paula had made all the arrangements and plans for the Farmington Office Christmas Lunch Buffet. Only Paula's memory was present at the Christmas Office lunch Buffet that day. Paula had another appointment that very same day.

Paula, your memory lives on.