In honor of Mothers Day, I thought it only appropriate to introduce you all to the original seriously badass woman, my mom, Paula Downey.

Meet Paula Downey

A native of Massachusetts, Paula has had a long career as a dental professional ranging from Dental Assistant to Office Manager and a three year stint with the Federal Government at Fort Devens. She’s a big fan of fluoride. She is an entrepreneur who started and ran her own residential cleaning company for 7 years while raising two amazingly gifted children (see what I did there). To call her “involved” would be an understatement. She became a famous volunteer at St Jerome School and was known as “the ice cream lady” after launching a lucrative ice cream day, once a week in the cafeteria, which then became the revenue source for the schools end of the year field day. 

Paula is infamous for her terrifying Halloween costumes which left many children in tears or under desks. She is the first one on the dance floor at any event and the last one off. Paula is a master of standing up for herself, her family and her beliefs. She is a very active Democrat and alternates between picket lines, caucuses, conventions and fundraisers. She is coming up on her 40th wedding anniversary (applause + gratitude). She was a competitive skier but now sticks to yoga, hoola-hooping, golf, walking, spinning and outdoor pursuits to stay healthy. Paula laughs harder and louder than anyone ever. She calls M&M’s ‘power pellets’, her nickname is P-Ditty and she is a badass.

Q+A

What’s your favorite quote? 

“And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” - Robert Frost

What gets you through a rough day? 

I can’t carry a tune but I sing in my head or really loud in the car which helps. I also enjoy a nice walk at Webb Park by the ocean.

What is your craziest idea? 

I have always wanted to fly (zip line) like Tinkerbell from Cinderella’s Castle to Tomorrow Land in Disney World.  

What’s the most outrageous thing you have ever done?  

I once led an entire pub full of people in a rousing rendition of God Bless America while standing on a table with a lit candle held high above my head; like Kate Smith. The band had me do an encore so it couldn’t have been too bad. 

What do you believe? 

That people shouldn’t take themselves so seriously. We should treat one another as we would want to be treated. And life isn’t a dress rehearsal; it’s the only show in town.

Happy Mothers Day P-Ditty!