Mary Lou Paulson

October 10, 1931 – December 4, 2024

Mary Lou Paulson, a kind-hearted mentor, traveler, writer, and volunteer, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024, at 93. Mary lived a life full of curiosity, hard work, and dedication to helping others.

Mary was born on October 10, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Fred and Margaret (Erickson) Paulson. She earned degrees from the University of Minnesota, Trinity University, and the American Graduate School of International Management. Her education led her to a career across the U.S. and around the world.

Mary worked for General Motors in Detroit and later moved to San Francisco. She then joined the Ford Foundation, which sent her to Nigeria during the Biafra War and later to Australia. She also worked in healthcare as an administrator at McKinley Hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, and for the Indian Health Service in Alaska, serving three remote villages.

In the 1990s, Mary joined the Peace Corps, working in Haiti and Jamaica. She traveled to places like Europe, Africa, India, Japan, and Burma throughout her life. She wasn't just a traveler but someone who engaged with the people and places she visited.

Mary was also a writer. Her mentors included Robert Boswell and Kevin McIlvoy at New Mexico State University. She wrote and published The Swedish Gypsy, a novel inspired by her grandparents' lives. The book drew on her love of history and extensive research into the Roma people and Swedish culture.

In her later years, Mary settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She stayed active in her community, volunteering at the Animal Shelter, organizing meditation groups, and serving on the Academy for Learning in Retirement board. In spring 2024, Mary moved to Sioux Falls, SD, to be closer to her sister, Carol, and other family members.

Mary is remembered for her practicality, kindness, and curiosity. She made friends everywhere she went and was always ready to learn something new.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Dyke of Sioux Falls, and two nephews, Paul (Lori) Dyke and John (Susan) Dyke. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Margaret Paulson, brother-in-law, David Dyke, and many beloved cousins.

Mary was an active member of the Self Realization Fellowship Church, which was an essential part of her life. Mary requested that there be no public memorial service on her behalf and that her remains be cremated and scattered "in a beautiful location." In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to organizations supporting education, animal welfare, or global health.

Mary lived a full and adventurous life, and her memory will be cherished by her family, friends, and all who knew her.