June 24, 1942 – July 28, 2008

Deirdre ”Dee” Ann Coles Paulino passed away on July 28, 2008 after a heroic four-year battle with ovarian cancer. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her cherished family, pets and beautiful garden in Encino, California. That was exactly the way she wanted it. And, like most things in her life, she found a way to make it happen in harmony with who she was.

Deirdre was born June 24, 1942, in Prineville, Oregon, the daughter of LaSelle and Iris Mae Coles. She graduated from Crook County High School in 1960 and attended Oregon State University, and was a lifelong fan of Beaver football and basketball. Her next move was to San Francisco where she got married and gave birth to her beloved daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Returning to Prineville, she helped care for her mother during a lengthy six-year illness while she and her former husband opened their first restaurant. Following this venture, and with great pioneer spirit, she packed up her young daughter and moved to Los Angeles to begin the next chapter in her life.

Once in L.A., she had tremendous professional success at ABC Television where she was employed as an executive chef. Paulino rapidly worked her way into the corporate ranks, eventually rising to the position of Vice President and Assistant to the President of ABC Entertainment. She then transferred to ABC Productions, serving as Vice President of Production, where she managed the physical production of television programs and mini-series. In the world of Hollywood, she was widely admired for her calm ability and perspective…plus her secret weapon: humor; which, almost always, would win the day. Upon retirement from ABC, Deirdre realized a lifetime professional dream with her business partner, Lorraine Brodek; together, they started a landscape design company. For the past eight years she enjoyed a successful career creating award-winning gardens in and around the Los Angeles area. Deirdre’s own garden was the highlight of many a garden tour. During this period, she devoted as much time and dedication as possible by serving on the board of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

She leaves her daughter, Mary Paulino Melvin, son-in-law, Marc; two grandchildren, Taylor and Nicholas; her sister, Mary Coles of Yakima, Washington; nieces: Cristina Churchwell and Emelia Epperson and families; nephew: Clayton Coles and family; niece: Debbie Coles and their mother, Rosemary Coles. In addition, she is survived by her many friends, former colleagues and business associates who cherished her wonderful humor, loyalty and love. We were indeed blessed to have had Deirdre Ann Coles Paulino in our lives, though her time with us seemed way too short. She chose to be laid to rest by the side of her parents, her brother; LaSelle, Jr. and her Aunt Deirdre Williams in Prineville’s Juniper Haven Cemetery. A memorial service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Children’s Cancer Research Fund (www.ccrf.org) and/or the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Fund (www.gildasclubrochester.org).