PAULA ARMSTRONG

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PAULA ARMSTRONG
February 9, 1957 – August 14, 2022

Paula was born in Toronto on February 9, 1957, to Max and Pat Armstrong and moved to Winnipeg with the family when our Dad was transferred in 1966.
Paula was a gifted athlete who excelled at many sports throughout her school years, and that love of sports remained a very important part of her life. She held the Manitoba Provincial school Long Jump record for a multitude of years. This drive and competitive nature proved very valuable for Paula as she fought to re-claim her life following 8-10 years of substance abuse on the streets of Vancouver's East Side. During her journey to recovery at the Rainier Hotel, she was very honoured to have been selected to represent Canada at the 2011 World Cup Street Soccer Championship, held in Paris, France.
She was proud to share that she was 12 years clean from her use of crack cocaine. She was always quick to add that had it not been for the programs and support she received from everyone at the Rainier Hotel she may not have survived.
Even as she struggled with addiction and depression, Paula was always there for her community whether that was looking after her friend's chihuahua, entertaining the seniors with her piano playing, or playing Christmas carols at the Rainier through the Holiday Season. Her smile and enthusiasm for life was infectious.
It is with sadness and a heaviness in our hearts, that we announce that Paula's time with us was cut short when at 11:45 p.m. August 14, 2022 she passed quietly in her sleep. Although Paula's passing saddens our family, we are all very thankful that she was able to travel to Winnipeg in July for an Armstrong Family Reunion. She had a wonderful time, renewed some bonds with family and returned home to Vancouver with a full heart, which was a blessing for us all.
There will be a Celebration of Paula's Life to be held in Vancouver on September 21, 2022.
Paula will be sadly missed by her best friend Phil, her Mom Pat Armstrong, brother Mike (Tracey), sisters Terri (Jim), April (Manny), Karen (Fred), Teresa, Donna, brother Chris (Susan), her Gagné step siblings and her Aunt Alberta, many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her father Max Armstrong in December 2019.
Our family would like to thank the PHS in Vancouver and especially the staff at the Rainier for the support and care they provided to Paula for the past 13 years. Donations in her memory may be made to PHS Community Services at www.phs.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2022