Paula Gail Gentile
1942 – 2024
Paula Gail (Nance) Gentile passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Settler’s Ridge Care Center in Celina, Texas.
Born July 14, 1942 to Ralph Leland Nance, Jr. and Pauline Adella (Killough) Nance in Oklahoma City. Paula graduated from Northwest Classen high school in 1960. After high school she joined Braniff Airlines as a hostess where on a flight to Houston she would meet her husband Jim. They were married November 23,1967 and would have 2 sons.
After stops in Japan and Arizona, the family settled in Edmond, Oklahoma where Paula worked at Organon Teknika/bioMérieux for many years as their Senior Buyer.
After retirement, not one to sit still, Paula found her love for dance. Several days a week she could be found dancing with the ladies of well-known Lynda Tarpley Tap. Her group would regularly perform at the OKC Arts Festival, Paseo Arts Festival, and local nursing homes.
Paula was a voracious reader, loved to knit and was a talented needle pointer. She sang with her older sister as a member of the Canterbury Choir.
She was preceded in death by older brother Leland “Deedee” Nance, her parents, her beloved sister Linda Duncan and brother in law Paul Duncan.
Paula is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jim of Edmond. Her sons Bo and daughter in law, Mindy of McKinney, Texas and Tony and daughter in law April of Mustang, OK. Step-sons, Scott Gentile and partner Sue Thorne of Gig Harbor, Washington, Steve Gentile of Pleasant Hill, California and step-daughter Tori of Pleasant Hill, California. Granddaughter Nikki and grandsons Caleb, Conner, Brayden and Tré. Nieces Dr. Deborah May and husband John of Waukomis, OK and Phyllis Lower and husband Doug, of Yukon, Oklahoma, cherished cousins LouAnne Weeks and husband, Jeff of Dallas, TX and Bill Dinger of Oklahoma City as well as numerous dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:00am in the Chapel of Matthews Funeral home in Edmond, Oklahoma.
To honor Paula, please dress in either her favorite color which was purple or her favorite team, the Sooners.
Immediately following the memorial, family would like to invite those who are able to join us for Paula’s favorite Theta Burger at Jonnie’s Charcoal Broiler 33 E 33rd St, Edmond, Oklahoma.
Paula was a wonderful person and friend with a fantastic sense of humor. And very talented. We tapped together for many years. She is dearly missed. Sincere condolences to her family.
Paula had such a connection with our granddaughter, Hannah, who is multiply handicapped. Hannah would run into Paula’s arms the minute she spotted Paula. Paula let Hannah dance on her feet (with those high-heeled tap shoes). Paula and Hannah share their birthday ( July 14). It was a beautiful connection, which Paula shared with so many others.
I miss you every day.