Paula Nadya Driscoll

Paula Nadya Driscoll, loving wife of William M. Driscoll, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, in Pepperell, MA. She was 71 years of age.

Paula was raised in Lexington, MA, where she graduated with honors from Lexington High School. Paula received a full art scholarship to an art school of her choosing, but Paula chose to attend Northeastern University in Boston, MA. While attending Northeastern, Paula worked as a Co-Op student at the AVCO Research Laboratory in Everett, MA. Paula earned her Bachelors Degree in Mathematics with a strong physics concentration while proudly paying her own way through Northeastern University.

Paula was employed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA, where she excelled in the field of Engineering Research and Development (R&D). While at Lincoln Laboratory, Paula earned a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

After leaving Lincoln Laboratory, Paula worked for The Analytic Sciences Corporation (TASC), in Reading, MA, and then moved to The MITRE Corporation in Bedford, MA. Paula enjoyed a distinguished engineering career and was well liked by her coworkers for her compassionate and caring disposition.

In addition to Paula's engineering skills, she loved animals and was gifted in the arts. Paula enjoyed a number of artistic pursuits, including music, art, and jewelry making. Paula designed the home she shared with her husband by working closely with the architect, builder, and sub-contractors while also handling all of the interior design.

Paula loved to cook and bake for others, as is the custom of her Lithuanian heritage. Paula would often be found assisting in the kitchens of her grandmother and mother, Grace (Zalatka) Valatka and Julia (Valatka) Grazulis. It was there Paula learned, bonded, and absorbed so many fundamental life lessons that established her own foundation for life.

Paula was a volunteer Test Cook for America Test Kitchen, where she reviewed, prepared, tested, and providing constructive feedback for test recipes. Some of those recipes would be dropped, others modified and reissued, and ultimately some were found in published recipes. Paula loved to find testers and benefactors with whom to share her cooking and baking treats.

Paula was predeceased by her father Frank Thomas Grazulis, her mother Julia Ann (Valatka) Grazulis, and her beloved sister Joan Grazulis. Paula is survived by her husband William M. Driscoll of Pepperell, MA, her brother William F. Grazulis and his wife Julie Grazulis of Meadows of Dan, VA, and her nephew Jeffrey Grazulis, his wife Brianne (Rummel) Grazulis, and a great nephew, Maxwell, and a great niece, Masyn Lynn.

Paula had a long relationship with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where she interacted with wonderful doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff. Paula showed her appreciation by tutoring Harvard Medical students in calculus, participating in research activities, and by providing treats from her kitchen.

For those seeking to memorialize Paula, please consider a gift in Paula's memory to the MGH Fund. The Fund is available online (search for MGH Fund), via email (mghdevelopment@partners.org), by telephone (617-726-2200), or by postal mail (Mass General Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114-1101).