Paula Mae Sylvestre, 75, of Negaunee, Mich., passed away on February 2, 2023. She was born November 24, 1947, in Hancock, Mich., daughter of the late Paul and Mabel (Yrjana) Saari.

In 1966 Paula graduated from Jeffers high school in Painesdale. Mich. She later met her husband of 20 years, Joseph Sylvestre, at the Ambassador, a bar in Houghton, Mich. This was the very same bar that Joseph's parents met before they were married. In 1969 Paula and Joseph were married in Lansing, Mich.

Paula had a love for cooking and baking, with her children especially enjoying her pasties and nissu. She enjoyed listening to 50's and country music, square dancing, sewing, knitting, crocheting, singing in the church choir, acting in the local theater, and painting. One of her favorite pastimes was traveling in her camper. She would spend a lot of time at her camp on Witch Lake. When she was not camping, she enjoyed the casinos or just spending time at one of the many Vegas shows. Paula was never one to just sit still and would spend her time puttering around the house.

Survivors include her significant other, Cliff Kahl; daughters, Kathleen Apineru (Tau) Green Bay, WI, Julie Christesen (Bill) Iron Mountain, MI, Jeanne Avery (Josh) South Yarmouth, MA; brother Alan Saari (Joyce); Sister Amy Saari; grandchildren, Brittany Stevens (Cameron), Zachary Stevens (Sally), Jacqueline Stevens (Jamie) Jessica Longstaff (Joseph), Kelly Burich, Megan Riutta, Bridgett Argall (Justice), Daniel Hall, Joseph Nault (Amanda) Grace Christesen; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Paula was preceded in death by her sisters, Donna Pirlot and Marie Saari.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. The Funeral Service will be Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Fr. Janusz Romanek will officiate.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Paula's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Paula's legacy of life.