Paulette Elizabeth Mahon

Paulette Elizabeth Mahon, 75, of Lakeland, died peacefully on October 28 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born on November 29, 1949, in Lakeland. Her family moved to Orlando when she was a young child. She grew up in Orlando, and her family moved to Auburndale when she was a teenager. She attended Auburndale High School, where she was a Bloodhound cheerleader, and graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1968. From there, she moved on to Tampa and attended Gordon Keller School of Nursing and the University of Tampa. She became a Registered Nurse. She and Dan moved to Lakeland in 1981. She practiced nursing in Tampa and Lakeland for 20 years, and then she retired to raise her family.

Paulette was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon C. Pate and Dolsie M. Imes Pate, and her brother Gordon C. Pate, Jr., all of Auburndale. She is succeeded by her husband of 46 years William “Dan” Mahon of Lakeland, and her daughter, Georgianna Marie Mahon of Riverview.

Paulette loved all animals and was an avid naturalist. Her passion was to rescue and rehab community cats. She was a dedicated organic gardener and a fierce defender of nature and the environment. Her favorite times were in the woods with nature. She spent a good portion of her day on the computer and the phone speaking with regulators and politicians championing for nature.

Paulette would want you to make a donation to the SPCA Florida or to an animal rescue group of your choice, in her name, to help the animals.

Paulette’s wishes were that there would be no public services for her, instead, to remember her as a loyal friend.