Paulette Odette Poudras, age 78, passed away January 10, 2004, in Reims, France, from complications of a stroke which occurred last August while she was visiting in France.
She was born in Reims, France, April 13, 1925, the daughter of Luis Honore Poudras and Adele Henriette Fouquest. as a young girl she struggled through the difficulties of World War II and then worked for ten years at the Bureau of Statistics in Reims. She and her sister Suzanne became two of the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city of Reims. She came to the United States in 1955 then returned in 1956 for her sister Suzanne who had remained to care for their mother who died that year. When Paulette arrived she was unable to speak any English but eventually attended the University of Utah, receiving a Bachelors Degree and High School Teaching Certificate in June of 1961. That same summer she attended Georgetown University for a special program for High School French teachers. She taught in the Salt Lake City School District for 22 years at Roosevelt, Bryant and Glendale Junior High Schools. She also taught at Highland, East and West High Schools. In 1973 she received a Masters Degree in Education from the U of U. She was an active member of her church and returned to France almost every summer to do family history research.
She is survived by nieces and nephews in France and her niece, Martine Veddie, gave much of her time caring for Paulette these past four and one half months.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2004, in the 14th Ward Chapel, 142 W. 200 N., at 1 p.m., where friends may visit from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity.