Paula Gayle Aardema Dufford born February 12, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan, passed away at MorningStar Assisted Living in Parker, Colorado, on July 15, 2026, due to complications from Atypical Parkinson’s disease. Paula is survived by her husband, Dennis Dufford, and her sons, Daniel Dufford and Stephen Dufford, all of the Denver, Colorado, area. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Aardema, her mother, Verna Aardema, and her only sibling, Dr. Austin Aardema. While growing up in Muskegon, Paula participated in the Junior Classical League and Youth for Christ. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and the ski club. She will long be remembered by her peers for her warmth, friendliness, and delightful smile. In 1965, she literally led the way at her high school commencement; with the last name Aardema, she became the very first graduate of the newly constructed Mona Shores High School. Paula met her husband, Dennis, at Michigan State University, where they were both students. They married on June 20, 1970. Paula became a second-grade teacher, and Dennis became an electrical engineer for General Telephone, now known as Verizon. Over the years, they lived in Muskegon, Michigan, Noblesville, Indiana, and Riverview, Florida. For many of the later years away, they kept a summer home in Muskegon. Paula loved roller and ice skating, skiing, and ballroom dancing. She also loved to play her flute, which she did often in church worship groups as well as other secular events. She was a charter member of Mona Shores Baptist Church, now Shores Community Church. Paula played with the worship team along with her husband, Dennis. She was truly loved by all who met her. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on September 1, 2026, at the Shores Community Church in Norton Shores, Michigan.