ALAMOSA—Lifelong San Luis Valley resident Vada Ann Wright Paulson, 75, died under hospice care July 31, 2009 at her home in Alamosa.

The eldest of five children, she was born Dec. 11, 1933 in the Del Norte home of her maternal grandparents, Anna and William Saenger, to Monroe and Eleanor Saenger Wright.  Her grandmother Anna proudly assisted with her birth as midwife. 

Vada married Walter R. Paulson on Nov. 29, 1952 in the Methodist Church in Del Norte.  After their marriage she followed Walt and made a home for their children, Shawnee and Kent, as Walt farmed, served his country and served his community in education. 

 She was a lifelong nurturer of children, beginning with the birth of a younger brother and sister when she was an early teen.  She was very dedicated to the love and care of many children that were entrusted to her. 

Vada was also dedicated to making a loving home for her very large, loving extended family. Her legacy to her loved ones and community was her ability to create and nurture a large extended family and her many natural gifts that she gave freely. 

Vada was an active member of the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) and the United Methodist Women.

Her paternal grandparents, Elizabeth and Orville Wright; maternal grandparents, Anna and William Saenger; parents, Eleanor and Monroe Wright; her brothers, Larry and a baby boy who died at birth, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her loving husband of 56 years, Walter; her daughter, Shawnee (Christoph) Weigt of Anniston, Ala.; her son Kent (Susie) Paulson of Alamosa; grandchildren, Jared (Corey) Paulson of Windsor, Calif., Dr. Amanda Weigt of  Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga., Lindsay (Mark) Gurney of Greeley, Wendi (Mike) Matthews of Peoria, Ariz. and Amber (Adam) Ordal of Englewood; her great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Hannah Paulson, Abigail Noel Matthews and namesake Delaney Ann Matthews to arrive in late November; brother, Ronnie (Anita) and daughter Gwynne Lujan and family; sister Terrie Lee Van Ooyen  and her son Peter Wright and family,  sister-in-laws: Betty May Paulson, Sherry Wright and family, Janet Paulson and family, cousin/sister of her heart Donna Lee Westenburg and family, and a large extended family including the Britt Freel, Kim Cooley and Bruce Gossard families.

Cremation was chosen and a Memorial Service was to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Alamosa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Hospice del Valle and the First United Methodist Church of Alamosa Wee Care program.

Arrangements are in the care of Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa.