Paula Sara Merrigan

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Merrigan, Paula Sara May 30, 1953 - February 15, 2017 Born in Bronx, NY, to Bernice and John (Jay) Merrigan. Raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, and Elmont, Long Island. Survived by her loving family: wife, Martha Mockus; mother, Bernice; brother, Jeff (partner Pam); niece, Megan; nephew, Andrew, aunts Stella and Marcia. Also mourned and missed by mother-in-law, Louise Mockus; siblings-in-law, Joe Mockus and Linda Matson, Mary Mockus, Anne and Mark Cervantes, Sheila and Frank Kozina, Dorothy Mockus and James Lubin, John Mockus and Toni Marie D'Amore, Eileen Mockus and Eric Krantz; nieces and nephews, Michael, Dorothy, Ellen, Joan, Samuel, Catherine, Laura, Edmund, Robert, Alexander and Fiona. Legions of loving and beloved friends and colleagues at DJR Architecture will miss her deeply. Following graduation from the University of Arkansas, Paula moved to the Twin Cities where she worked for several architectural firms before being hired by DJR Architecture, Inc., where she was later named a Principal and CFO. She continued to learn and grow as a Mondale Policy Fellow. Her intellectual tenacity was a constant. She served on the St. Paul Planning Commission as the chair of the Comprehensive Planning Commission where she was a member of the Zoning Committee, on the Board of Open Arms and on the grant committee of the Ann Bancroft Foundation. She enjoyed sports, from high school teams to recreational leagues in the Twin Cities: Cheap Nylons (softball), Amazons (softball and basketball); triathlons; fantasy football, and attending NY Yankees and MN Twins games. Her generosity of heart was demonstrated by her love for Martha, her family, her friends and the young people in her life whom she supported enthusiastically and loved unconditionally. She had a passion for poetry, knishes, orchestral concerts, musicals, pastrami sandwiches, travel and good design. Gratitude to Dr. Martha Q. Lacy and her extraordinary Mayo Clinic care team and Minnesota Oncology (MOHPA) in St. Paul. Honesty, compassion, humor and creativity defined this vibrant woman of heart and mind. She will be profoundly missed. A celebration of Paula's life will be held March 3 at Wigington Pavillion on Harriet Island, St. Paul. Memorials preferred to Open Arms of Minnesota, 2500 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Published on February 19, 2017