Remembering Paula by Karen Talsma https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2 en-us 2019-01-22 21:12:39 UTC 2025-11-03 05:31:57 UTC hello@padlet.com Dear Paula... karentalsma https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323269310 You have been a most treasured friend, confidant and colleague. You have steadily been champion for me, for which I am deeply grateful. You have taught me about leadership, intentionality, compassion, kindness, friendship, integrity, curiosity and teamwork. You leave behind a gaping hole. I cherish the time we have been blessed to spend together.... and my heart aches for your boys, your family and your community.  
You were taken too soon and I will forever cherish our friendship and all you have taught me. 

I miss you already.
-Karen]]> 2019-01-23 00:14:37 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323269310 Dear Paula... https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323502202 The positive impact you leave on those around you was abundantly clear even before we met. The team speaks so very highly of you and it was my pleasure to have the experience of working with you. It is easy to speak of your professional contributions to this team however, it is how you made those around you feel, that will always be. ]]> 2019-01-23 15:36:03 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323502202 Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323521024 I will forever remember the spirit and enthusiasm that you brought to each and every meeting.  Your attention to detail was second to none and you made every project that you worked on better.  I will miss your kind and considerate nature and your positive influence on our work day.  I find it difficult to fathom that you are gone so soon.  The impact that you had on your colleagues will be everlasting.]]> 2019-01-23 16:03:28 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323521024 My dearest Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323598777 You are my ying to my yang....We would constantly reflect on how you and I were the ying/yang at work- and how perfectly we complemented each other. You are so perfect. You are my work soul sister, and no one can ever replace that. I would think of the all the wild ideas that we could do with our PM team- and you would make it into reality. You always supported every single idea that popped into my brain, and get passionately excited with me. In turn, I learned so much about you and your deep thinking, emotional intelligence, and love for all things people. You are the heart and soul of this Project Management team, and I will miss you more than you can imagine. Miss you times infinity.]]> 2019-01-23 18:14:06 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323598777 Tribute to Paula karentalsma https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323649697 Double click anywhere to share your memories, lessons, impact, memories, and or pictures of Paula.
 
Paula, I remember when...,
Paula, you taught me.... 
Dear Paula....]]> 2019-01-23 19:32:02 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323649697 Dear Paula, You will leave behind a lasting legacy of benevolence, authenticity and professionalism. I am so grateful for your leadership, mentorship and overall support during our time together. Thank you for fostering my personal and professional growth, and recognizing my strengths even when I didn’t see them for myself. I will miss you. https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323706153 2019-01-23 21:58:46 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323706153 Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323710305 You were someone who was always quick to offer a helping hand whenever help was needed. Your extensive knowledge and experience was always much appreciated, and was only outshone by your beaming personality. Thank you for being an amazing team member, leader, and colleague. Our heart aches for your family, and we send our love to them in this trying time.]]> 2019-01-23 22:20:20 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323710305 Dear Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323711418 You have been a great friend, colleague and mentor.  I have learned so much from you and I am grateful for the time we spent together in the workplace and outside of work with our littles.  I will always remember your encouragement and support - I will miss you.  I will think of you, those precious boys, Nate and your family often.]]> 2019-01-23 22:26:39 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323711418 Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323716197 Words seem insufficient to capture your remarkable soul and the profound impact you had on not just our team, but all those around you. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to know, work with, and learn from you. Your generosity in sharing your knowledge, skills, and life experiences; your encouragement of others to reach for and achieve success; and your ability to make people feel at ease by establishing meaningful connections are just a few of your many qualities I have greatly admired and appreciated. You are irreplaceable and unforgettable — you will be so deeply missed.

Kelsey ]]> 2019-01-23 22:54:17 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323716197 Paula, You have been a great friend and colleague to me. I will miss our lunches in the sun, our times together with Hudson, stealing away for our breaks to chat and all the other moments we were able to connect and laugh together. You showed me kindness, were joyful, funny, smart and had such a positive energy that I will never forget. You always showed up for people and were a quiet constant support. My heart goes out to your family Paula. I know you will somehow be a strong silent support for Nat and for your boys as they grow. We all miss you very, very much. Emily https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323716297

]]> 2019-01-23 22:55:09 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323716297 https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323718980 2019-01-23 23:10:51 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323718980 Words can't begin to express how missed you are. I so admired and respected you. From our first encounter to our last text, I loved and will cherish each interaction we had over the years. My heart is broken for those you've left behind. Rivers are filled by the tears we've shed. Until we meet again dear friend, what a party that'll be . - Colleen https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323748595 2019-01-24 02:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323748595 https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323978867 2019-01-24 15:52:59 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323978867 Dear Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323984581 I had the great fortune to work with you on my first major project at AHS. You were an amazing support, a great mentor, and a warm and genuine person. I wish I had better words to properly express the respect I have for you and how grateful I am to have worked with you. I will always remember your humour and your kindness. I am profoundly sad for your boys, your husband, your friends and your family. You are missed.
- Liesa
]]> 2019-01-24 16:01:27 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/323984581 Dear Paula https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324014817 An amazing, kind, generous soul has entered heaven. To even write this tribute I have silent tears. I wonder if you knew of the respect you engendered from the people you interacted with over the years? You were a person of such amazing strength and wisdom which was evident in your interactions with your friends, colleagues and leaders. You inspired and challenged me and allowed me to do so for you on occasion. Words cannot express the loss I am feeling, and my heart goes out to your beautiful family during this sad time.
I am honoured to have known you and to have called you, friend. Until we meet again. 
Roxanne]]> 2019-01-24 16:46:49 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324014817 Dearest Paula, you are one of those people that I met who made a difference both with your infectious smile and your beautiful spirit of caring loving all who you touched. I truly believe I have never met someone with such love and caring for all you interacted with even if you did not know them. I feel like you not have known the impact you had on others as that loving and caring touch you gave to each you met is the way you moved about life. I always felt a strong sense of calmness on the projects we worked on because that was what you were and we learned from that. I truly feel honored and lucky to have worked with you and learned from you and inspired by your love for your wonderful husband and desire to be mother. I am sad for our loss and I treasure that I had privilege to have known you . You will be missed https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324075016 Carol]]> 2019-01-24 18:31:50 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324075016 Beautiful Soul, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324172381 Knowing you as a co-worker at Alberta Health Services is what revealed to me that you were a special person. You lived your life well as it mattered and it impacted. You used your giftings as they were meant to be used...your intelligence, loving-kindness, charm, 1.5 million dollar smile and infectious laugh made this world a better place for so many, many others. Absolutely you left too soon, but I find comfort in knowing you experienced the love of a faithful partner, the joy of motherhood, the loyalty of exceptional friends, the closeness of family, the strength of community, and some pretty awesome world adventures. Having to say goodbye is very difficult for us but thank you for choosing to live as authentic you. Godspeed, Paula.

Richard]]> 2019-01-24 22:14:23 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324172381 Dear Paula, I so vividly remember your support, kind words and warm welcome when I first started at AHS 6 months ago. Your email that first week was so warming and you welcomed me with "open arms". And then when I met you my dear colleague , I was truly honoured - your warmth, integrity, wisdom, genuine compassion and energy was inspirational. I will always treasure you as such a beautiful person. You will be missed so much. My deepest blessings go out to Nate, your beautiful boys and family. Marie marie_sopko https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324224029 2019-01-25 04:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324224029 Dearest Paula, Your smile will stay in my heart forever. I remember how your eyes would shine and your smile would get bigger and bigger as you would recount experiences and share your recollections. I remember when you were telling me about how you had a convertible VW bug when you lived in Victoria and how you would zip around. You had such an impish smile that time. I loved our conversations as we got to know each other. Even when we were in the thick of planning out the WHS e-learning your smile kept me going as I tried to follow your change management proactive strategy. You taught me a lot about empathy and how to step in the shoes of others. You helped create a sense of comfort and consideration of others during our teleconferences, when there was a pause or a question, you were always present to fill it with a meaningful and insightful thought. I remember how excited you were to go to a comic book expo dressed as a superhero. Paula, you are my superhero. You will be missed. With love, Kathy https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324522734 2019-01-25 22:41:57 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/324522734 Dear Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/325010818 You were an amazing person.
You were a gentle force of nature that had a huge impact on everything that you touched.
You had a positive and vibrant view on life and work.
Your impact on our teams, our work and our lives was amazing.
We miss you.
Mike]]> 2019-01-28 16:31:17 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/325010818 Dear Paula https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/326066327 With a kind and gentle heart and manner, you led and inspired by your example. The respect and admiration you earned and held from all who knew you is remarkable, and I hope you knew this both in life and now. Our chats about family including the curious and adventurous nature of children were a joy! Your support at work for change, growth, and exploration, through the bumps to get us to something new and better was unfailing. You have forever left a beautiful impact, and I wish all your loved ones comfort and strength in the days ahead without you.
We miss you.
Deb G]]> 2019-01-30 22:09:00 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/326066327 Paula, https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/327509130 I credit you with much of my early success upon joining WHS. I arrived in the midst of a major project rollout and you provided context, sent me links, and pointed me in the right direction. Most of all, the quality of your work and your attention to detail enabled me to land running. While I thanked you on many occasions, I am truly grateful for your expertise and support in many respects. 
On a personal level, I remember the laughs we shared at the silly things my kids said and did, and how excited you were to start a family of your own. I send my deepest condolences to your family. We miss you.
Dave]]> 2019-02-04 19:50:36 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/327509130 Paula: You changed everyone you met for the better. You were wise, kind, a wonderful listener, patient, slow to judge and quick to laugh. The world has lost a beautiful person, and we will always miss you. Debbie S. https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/340446422 2019-03-12 14:48:51 UTC https://padlet.com/karentalsma/qnobda9k0cl2/wish/340446422