Paula A. Rankin

Paula Ann Rankin, died after a long illness on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the age of 74. She passed peacefully with her daughters by her side holding her hands until her last breath. Paula touched and brightened the lives of everyone who met her.

Paula was born in Salem, MA on February 3, 1950 and attended Beverly High School. She is predeceased by her mother, Virginia (Calef) Burkinshaw and father, John Burkinshaw, sister, Jean Tutty and niece, Jennifer Tutty - all of Beverly, MA. 

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Tom Rankin of Raymond, NH; her children from her first husband, Stephen Oakes of Manchester, NH; Andrea (Oakes) Mayhew and husband Bruce Mayhew; Tara (Oakes) Harrington and husband, Lance Harrington and grandchildren, Grace Mayhew, Lily Mayhew and Joseph Harrington—all of Manchester, NH; her brother, Jack Burkinshaw and his wife, Madoka Burkinshaw of Dover, NH; nephew, Keith Burkinshaw and his wife, Allison Burkinshaw of Georgetown, MA; niece, Serena Burkinshaw of Brighton, MA.

Paula was a devoted homemaker, and a loving companion and mother. She laughed freely, loved deeply, and was known by all as a faith-filled, kind-hearted, fun and generous person. She loved her family, friends, music, dancing, gardening, animals, cooking and being a mother. She enjoyed the simple pleasure of a day at the beach with a lobster roll or fried clams. At the end of the day, spending time with those she loved was always her first choice. 

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 23, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, in Manchester, NH. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be private.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://phaneuf.net/