Paula DeCesari Baraldi (88) passed away on January 29, 2018. Paula, with her daughter Nancy, owned and operated DeCesari Stationery for many years. She was also very active in her community. She served as Director and Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Madera Chamber of Commerce and participated in the Chamber's Retail Merchants Committee and Governmental Affairs Committee.

She also achieved 30 years of perfect attendance and was a lifetime member of the Soroptimist Club of Madera in which she accepted the responsibilities of serving as President and Secretary. Other areas of her community service included life member of the Madera County Historical Society; President of the American Cancer Society; President of the National Association of Republican Women; member of the Association of Stationers; member of the Italian Catholic Federation; and was an active member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church. She was recognized as a distinguished graduate of St. Joachim's School and received the Madera District Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

Paula was also recognized for her achievements from the following organizations, Steering Committee for the Madera Diamond Jubilee; Cub Scouts; and Camp Fire Boys and Girls. Paula was the first one to send food or a thoughtful card to someone in need. Paula loved going to the theatre and traveling. She always had friends willing and able to go with her. She visited China when it first opened to tourists in the 1970s. She also traveled to the Philippines, Japan, Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Whales, Greece, including a trip on the Orient Express, and many places in the United States.

Outside of her travels, time with family was the most important to her. She truly loved her family and enjoyed time with her bridge friends. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Enrico and Armanda DeCesari. She is survived by her brother, Robert DeCesari and his wife Marilyn; her children, Allen Baraldi, Laura Brandon, and Nancy Meyers and her husband Mark; and her grandchildren, Valerie Brandon, Beth Nelson and her husband Ryan, Jeff Brandon and his wife Ali, Lee Meyers, and Grant Meyers. She also had four great-grandchildren whom she adored, Evelyn, Noah, and Katherine Nelson, and Liam Brandon.

The family will be having a private service. Remembrances may be made to St. Joachim's New Church Fund, 401 W. 5th St., Madera, CA 93637; Madera County Historical Society, 210 W. Yosemite Ave., Madera, CA 93637;