Paula Kay McRae (nee Harwood)

November 20, 1947 - May 17, 2019
Paula Kay McRae (Harwood), wife, mother and sister, passed away on May 17, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was 71.
Paula was born in Corvallis, Oregon, a middle child of three, and spent her early years in North Bend, OR. She became a dental hygienist then moved to Courtenay, BC, where she met her husband, Dr. Gary McRae.
Paula and Gary travelled extensively before settling down and having their two sons, Bryce and Connor. Paula heroically juggled being a loving wife and a caring mother, managing a ski chalet rental business, driving her boys to and from their endless activities, and developing lifelong friendships with many local school teachers and parents. In 2009, she became a Canadian citizen.
Paula loved sports. She was a top swimmer as a young girl, and later travelled all over Canada with Gary officiating at swimming events and supporting the local Sharks swim team, on which her sons competed for many years. Her involvement in the community also stretched globally. She and Gary made annual trips as volunteer dentists to underprivileged communities in Central and South America. She was a picture of true generosity (especially when her kids needed relationship advice). Aside from the great outdoors of the Comox Valley, her favourite things were watching Seahawks games in Seattle with her hubby, walking her dog Jas with the ladies (and sister), and key lime pie.
Even in the face of cancer, Paula's unflinching positivity was contagious to everyone around her. She is survived by her loving husband Gary, sons Bryce (Lisa) and Connor, sister Karen (Greg) Gill, sister-in-law Chris Harwood, and her dog Jas. She is Grauntie Paula to many kids and would have been the best grandma ever. She is predeceased by her brother Victor Harwood.
The family would like to thank the staff of North Island Hospital Comox Valley, as well as all the relatives and close friends, who are too many to name here, for keeping Paula's final months, weeks, days and hours, full of food, light and love.
Paula's ashes will be spread in her favourite place at the seaside of the Comox Valley,
Please join us in Celebrating the Life of Paula at the K'omox Band Hall at 3330 Comox Rd, Comox, at 2 pm on Saturday July 13th. If unable to attend please feel free to leave a story or a memory on Paula's memorial page at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com.


Piercy's-Mt. Washington Funeral Home