Paula (Scally) Auckenthaler left this world as she had lived most of her life quietly, serenely and at peace, on the evening of May 7.
She loved reading mysteries, the ocean, and nature, as evidenced by the number of National Wildlife magazines neatly stacked on her bookshelves.
She was raised in Wayland, Mass. by an aunt, and after graduating from Wayland High School, she pursued a career as an executive secretary working for several aerospace companies on the East and West coasts. She also spent time working for the State Department in India in the 1960s. After returning to the United States, she continued working in the aerospace field where she met her future husband, Philippe Auckenthaler, who predeceased her in 1992.
They loved their dogs, deep-sea fishing, and traveling. Upon his retirement, they moved to the Chesapeake Bay area, enjoying the view of Annapolis across the Bay and family nearby.
After her retirement in 2000, she returned to her New England roots. She settled by the ocean in Owls Head where she continued enjoying her love of nature, her dog Brandy, and the ocean view.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred Scally and Robert Spiller.
She is survived by her brothers and a sister, Richard and Sally Haynes, Jack and Kathy Haynes, and Jane and Willi Jurgeleit, all of Massachusetts, and Wayne and Janet Spiller of Maine; many nieces and nephews; step children, Alan Auckenthaler, Reynold Auckenthaler, Karen Auckenthaler, of Minnesota, Virginia and Colorado respectively, and their families, which include eight grandchildren and 13 plus great-grandchildren. She also leaves a large extended family and a close group of high school friends.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her memory may be made to any Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
