Paula DeMeo, 68, died on Sunday, September 29. The daughter of Vincent and Catherine De Meo, she grew up in in Rhode Island and graduated from Saint Philip School and Smithfield High School, where she lettered in gymnastics and played tennis. She studied dance at the Brae Crest School of Ballet and Rhode Island College, and was a member of the State Ballet of Rhode Island, the RIC Dance Company, and other dance companies. She worked with people with developmental disabilities and taught dance to children and adults. Paula was vibrant, artistic, joyful, and beautiful, with—like the muse of Elton John’s song “Tiny Dancer”—pretty eyes and a pirate smile. 

She leaves her brother and sister, David and Melissa DeMeo, and their families; her cousins; her advocate and friend, Elizabeth Martinez; seven children, Jerome, Jessica, Paul, and Jennifer Brown and Sam, Jacob, and Jacquelyn DeMeo; a dear daughter-in-law, Ruth DeMeo; and enough grandchildren to hold a baseball game. She was preceded in death by her parents and her godparents, Arthur and Carmela DeMeo. The family wishes to thank the staff of Pebble Creek Nursing Center for their care. A service will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 11 a.m. at San Jose Funeral Home, 10950 Pellicano Drive.