Paula Ayers Steele, native Delawarean
Paula Ayers Steele, 76, of Lewes, passed away at home surrounded by loving family, Monday, July 3, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 16, 1946, in Wilmington, daughter of Warren H. and Ellen A. (Connor) Ayers.
A native Delawarean, Paula graduated from AI DuPont High School in 1964 and went on to work as a social work assistant with ChristianaCare. Her desire to stick up for and assist those in need was central to her life. She retired in 2013 and soon thereafter, moved to Lewes to be closer to family. She embraced the slower lower life after working tirelessly for many years, oftentimes scoring a prime parking spot at Lewes Beach armed with a good book.
An avid fan of both soap operas and meandering Sunday drives, Paula provided loved ones with whatever they needed to tackle the twists and turns in their lives, whether that entailed sorting out the plot, or encouraging them to simply appreciate the ride. Paula was always ready to hand out tough love, soft love, and everything in between.
In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her brother, Warren H. Ayers II. She is survived by her daughters, Adriane D. Gallagher of Lewes, and Terra E. Dillon of Rehoboth Beach; her son, Matthew Dillon of Rehoboth Beach; daughter-in-law, Tabitha Golt; daughter by love, Tamara Keen; her grandchildren: Patrick Connor Gallagher, Madeline Anne Gallagher, Gavan Dylan MacNamara, Aidan David Dillon Leary, Kyleese Imajin Dillon, Adriahna Kayli Dillon and Iris Normalise Dillon; and her brother Frederick R. Ayers of Punta Gorda, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Paula's name to Women's Refugee Commission, 15 W. 37th St., 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, womensrefugeecommission.org; or Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, beebehealthcare.org/beebe-medical-foundation.
Visit Paula’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
