KURE BEACH — Paula Irene “Grandma” Girvan age 88 passed away in her home in Kure Beach, NC on Wednesday June 22, 2022, in the arms of her daughter Gayle Irene Palamara.
Irene known to all as Grandma was born July 18, 1933, at Norwegian Hospital in Brooklyn, New York to the late Haakon Sande of Tonseera Norway and Paula Sorenson of Arendal Norway. Grandma who was a lifelong scholar started her post graduate education at Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess School graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1954 which she was most proud of and held her license until her passing. She was a woman of many passions, after earning her license as a Registered Nurse Grandma went on to earn a degree in Educational Development from SUNY Oneonta in Central New York. After many years as a nurse and teacher Grandma pursued her love of antiquities when she earned a certification for art antiquities and appraisals from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Grandma’s love for the arts and history came to fruition after semi-retiring from nursing and teaching when she and the love of her life, her husband, Thomas “Poppy” Hunter Girvan Jr. opened Infinity Gallery in Long Island, New York. During this time, she discovered her interest in oil painting and travel exploring all that Europe had to offer.
Upon fully retiring Grandma and Poppy settled in Fort Myers Florida. It was here she found her natural talent as a golfer which earned her many awards and trophies. She was never one to leave any lifelong dreams undone, at the age of 70 she took her first flying lesson.
Grandma was also a member of the Eastern Star and a former Girl Scout Leader.
In life Grandma was proceeded in death by not only her parents but her beloved son Thomas “Tommy” Hunter Girvan III and her loving husband of 58 years Thomas “Poppy” Hunter Girvan Jr. She is survived by her daughter Gayle Irene Palamara, and her wonderful grandchildren Kylie Hunter Palamara and Joseph Palamara Jr. to cherish her memory.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Saturday August 20, 2022, at Kure Memorial Lutheran Church, 117 N 3rd Ave, Kure Beach, NC 28449.
Friends and family may offer condolences for the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com
To honor Grandma’s memory, donations may be made to Special Olympics New Hanover County – 302 Willard St, Wilmington, NC 28402
