Eight Bells: Faith Paulsen

Faith Alden Paulsen, who lived her entire life in Mattapoisett and Marion of Massachusetts, died December 1 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Large portions of her life were spent at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir for over 30 years and served on the altar guild. Her passions were sailing, tending to her golden retrievers, working in her gardens and those at the church, and traveling to adventurous destinations.

She was the eleventh generation offspring of famous naval architect John Alden and wife Pricilla, has been sailing all of her life. She grew up sailing a Cape Cod Knockabout, a Herreshoff 12 and has sailed a Bullseye since 1966. As the first woman Commodore of Beverly Yacht Club, Paulsen broke new ground for the club.

Paulsen watched the first Marion to Bermuda Race start as a spectator in 1977 and began her involvement with the race in 1979. For the 15th edition of the race in 2005, she was honored when the organizing committee unveiled the new Commodore Faith Paulsen Trophy for the first all-women crew to finish the 645 mile ocean race.

She was preceded in death by husbands Robert Thompson and Charles Paulsen as well as two older sisters. Two additional sisters, six children and eleven grandchildren plus many cousins, nephews and nieces have enjoyed Faith throughout her lifetime.

Faith often gathered with friends and visitors at her home on Sippican Harbor in Buzzard’s Bay. She loved to entertain and was generous with her time, talents and means.

A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am Saturday, March 7, 2020 at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street, Marion.

Suggestions for memorial donations include Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452; Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719; St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545, Marion, MA 02738, or your favorite charity.