Paula B. Fiore, 76, of Concord, Massachusetts and Cape Elizabeth, Maine, passed away at Emerson Hospital on May 20, 2023, following a brief illness.

Born on January 25, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Attilio and Victoria (Montuori) Fiore. From her father, she inherited an unending curiosity about the world, her love of flowers, and her deep warmth and compassion. From her mother, she inherited her joy in cooking for family, her devotion to animals, and her fiery spirit.

She was raised in Somerville, and attended Cambridge Matignon School, followed by Mount Auburn Hospital School of Nursing. She was a Registered Nurse for many years at several area hospitals. When she managed the Blood Bank at Emerson Hospital, she had regulars who would come to donate blood as often as they could just to enjoy the camaraderie and joy that she brought into their lives while they were in her chair. Later in her career, she worked in billing and patient accounts, where she was always a champion in helping people get the insurance coverage they needed to get the care they deserved.

She was the beloved mom of Robin DeRosa (and her husband Phil Lonergan) of Campton, NH. Phil was building a house for Paula next door to them at the time of her death, and they spent many hours together looking joyfully ahead to having her nearby. Paula's love and care for her firstborn was boundless; when Robin auditioned for her first play as a kid (The Wizard of Oz), they mailed the congratulation letter home and Paula steamed it open before Robin got home from school and then resealed it again because she just couldn't wait for the news.

Paula was also the beloved mom of Peter DeRosa (and his wife Lisa) of Concord, MA. Pete and Lisa lived just down the street from Paula, and her greatest joy in life was stopping in to leave them food (and slipping Jake a dog biscuit every time). When Pete was young, he won an award for citizenship and kindness at school, and it might be one of the reasons that she mentioned this award regularly even all these years later was because it reflected how her best qualities had been passed to her only son.

Paula was also the proud grandmother of Ruby Lonergan, and Lucy and Caroline DeRosa; there was nothing she had that she did not try to give away to them, and she felt blessed to watch them grow into the beautiful and brilliant young adults they are today.

Paula was the dear sister of Elizabeth Coty (and her late husband Robert) of Concord, MA and Carol Wood (and her husband Donald) of Acton. Betty and Carol nurtured Paula through decades of health challenges as she navigated life after a stroke many years ago. They lived around the corner from her, and together, the three Fiore Girls created a bedrock of care for a growing and boisterous family, a beautiful example of the power of both sisterhood and motherhood.

Paula also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and their young families; her good friend and former husband, Joe DeRosa; and a number of lifelong friends. She was surrounded by many of them, and showered with love in her peaceful final days.

Relatives and friends will gather on Sunday, September 17th at 2 pm for a celebration of Paula's life at West Concord Union Church, where she was a member.

Paula wanted nothing more than to care for the loved ones in her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to support two organizations that she hopes will make a difference to people who are close to her: The Glioblastoma Foundation or

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.