Paula Florence (De Carlo) Tuttle

Paula Florence Tuttle joined the heavenly spirits on August 5, 2024.  A San Rafael native, Paula was born on August 21, 1930 to Ben and Angela (Costello) DeCarlo at home at 1417 Mission Street, San Rafael, spending her years growing up on Lincoln Avenue and later on Belle Avenue.  Later she attended St. Raphael’s school through eighth grade, San Rafael High School (Class of 1948) and graduated from Dominican College in 1952 with a Bachelors of Art, going on to University of California Berkely to obtain a teaching credential.  Attending a high school dance (the only other high school in Marin at that time was Tamalpais), she met the love of her life George Tuttle, who went to Tamalpais High.  They married in August 1952 at St. Raphael’s Church.  Soon after they left San Rafael and moved to Stanford Village where George attended Stanford Law School.  Paula taught second and third grade in San Carlos and Redwood City while George attended school.  After George graduated, they lived in San Francisco, before returning to San Rafael to raise their three children, Pamela, George and Virginia.

Paula had many careers during her life – teacher, interior decorator in San Rafael, founder of Spiritual Arts Foundation, and owner of a Thomas Kinkade Art Gallery. But the career that brought her the greatest joy was Paula’s Florist.  Opening in the Fall of 1976 in a small space on 4th Fourth Street (now Thai Smile).  As Paula’s business blossomed, she needed a larger space.  With the help of family and friends, she transformed an empty gas station into a flower and gift shop; it was then onto Grand Landing and finally at Montecito Center.  She loved the joy flowers brought people and would spend hours and days getting corsages ready for high school dances and proms, weddings, and major holidays.

After retiring, she returned to her oil paintings, creating heirloom quilts for her family and enjoying her garden.

She is survived by her husband George of 72 years.  On August 24 they would have been married 73 short years.  Paula is survived by children Pamela (Thomas “Pat”) Collins, grandchildren Meaghan (Ryan) Marcom, Skylar Collins; George (Samantha) Tuttle, Virginia (David) Gundred; grandchildren George (Melissa) Tuttle, Laura (Kirk Hilken), Cameron Tuttle, Kate Tuttle, 4 great children Olivia and August Tuttle, and Owen and Luke Marcom.  Paula is also survived by her brother John DeCarlo of San Anselmo, nephews John (Debbie), Jim (Lisa) and niece Caroline (Ken) Beyer along with many cousins; and Sherie Paton, who has been like a daughter to her, as well as many extended family members.  The family wishes to thank Fiona for all her care.

A Rosary/Visitation will be recited at 6:00 pm, Thursday, August 15, 2024 at St. Raphael’s Church in the Mission Chapel.   The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am, Friday, August 16, 2024 at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA.  Burial follows at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

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