Obituary: Paula Doak (King), 52, of Centerbrook

Information via Swan Funeral Home

Paula Doak (King) passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Centerbrook, CT surrounded by her family and friends on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the age of 52, after a lifelong battle with Type 1 Diabetes.

Paula was born on March 9, 1967 in Dublin, Ireland and was raised with her brother Brian King and sisters Louise James (King) and Anna Furey (King) by their mother and father, Ann and Michael King, in Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland.

Paula was an inspirationally strong and incredibly thoughtful woman who touched countless lives with her contagious laughter, love, and genuine care for everyone around her. Her strength began as a child when she developed Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes, but she didn’t let that stop her. After graduating from Sancta Maria College, she independently moved from her family home in Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland to the United States and created a beautiful life in America, as a proud Irish American. She experienced life in New York City then ventured to Connecticut where she met and married her husband, Thomas Doak.

Paula spent her life devoted to her family. She was the loving mother of her children Thomas Doak IV, Colleen Doak, and Michael Doak and his wife Samantha Beyer, and her step-children Nancy Doak and Shani Degrosa. She was the proud grandmother of Sophia, Aodhan, and Christopher Kumpitsch, Olivia Ayala, and Dylan, George and Bailey Decoster. In addition to her beloved family, she had an exceptionally close relationship with her friends who also moved from Ireland to the United States and with her dog Bruno and her three cats.

Among the many lessons she taught her family throughout the years, the ones that stuck with them most were to enjoy “a good laugh” as she called it and to cherish the simple things in life, especially family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paula’s memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF.org). The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the nurses, doctors, and medical staff for the compassionate and excellent care given to Paula throughout the years.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Swan Funeral Home here.