Paula Matus Cousins

Paula Matus Cousins, 73 years of age, and a former resident of Northbrook, IL, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 25, 2020, surrounded by her family in Salt Lake City, UT.

Paula was born October 6, 1947, in Norwalk, OH. She graduated from Firelands High School where she was active as a cheerleader and a successful member of the track team. She went on to become a Buckeye at Ohio State University, as her father before her. A member of Alpha Phi sorority, Paula adored college life. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a tour guide at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during a summer abroad. This sparked a lifelong passion for traveling which she enthusiastically shared with her family and friends.

Upon graduating with a BS in Education in 1969, Paula moved to Chicago, IL, where she taught as a substitute teacher in the public schools of the Windy City. Shortly after, she became a flight attendant for American Airlines, which allowed Paula to spread her wings to explore the world she loved.

On a blind date, Paula met Bill who was still attending Xavier University. After 4 years of dating, Paula and Bill married in 1974 in Avon Lake, OH. It was a night to remember full of polka dancing and celebration!

With her beloved husband Bill, Paula went on to build a family of five children from 1979 to 1988. She always put her family first and stopped at nothing to ensure her children had a wide range of wonderful life experiences. A lifelong traveler, Paula instilled her love of travel with her family, taking them on numerous trips across North America and Europe. Paula also welcomed two foreign exchange students into the family, Bart Smans and Rodrigo Boufleur, with whom she stayed in touch until present.

Paula will be remembered for her conversations, her excellent cooking and entertaining, her laughter and kindness, her joie de vivre, the strong friendships she cultivated over the years, and her deep love for her family.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years, William Martin Cousins III; her children: Janine Troilo (John) of Park City, UT, Andy Cousins of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Cousins of Salt Lake City, UT,  Ryan Cousins (Hanna Hwang) of Seattle, WA, and William Cousins IV (Amy) of Chicago, IL; her two grandchildren, Weston and Mena Troilo; her mother, Eleanor Matus (née: Grimmer) of Norwalk, OH; her siblings: Dr. Paul Matus (Linda) of Oberlin, OH; Craig Matus (Deb) of Bonita Bay, FL, Jean Paskert (Mike) of Missoula, MT, and Deborah Davidson (Pete Yaworsky) of Oberlin, OH.

Paula was preceded in death by her father Paul M. Matus in 2016 and her sister Marsha Marie Von Hofen in 2019.

Her family sends their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of University of Utah Hospital.

A gathering for friends and family will be announced at a later date. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Family Promise in lieu of flowers. https://familypromise.org/donate/