Paula Vogel Quill

The moment you walked through Paula’s front door you felt like family.

She would be lighting candles and putting out plates of cheese as Billy Joel played in the background. Then she’d notice you, rush over with open arms, and give a tight hug that lasted just a little too long.

“Make yourself at home,” she would always say. You knew she meant it.

Paula Vogel Quill passed away Dec. 19th following a long illness, surrounded by her siblings, children, mother, partner and childhood best friend. She was 55 years old.

Born on June 1, 1963 to Carol Graveline and Paul Vogel, Paula was raised by Carol and Robert Graveline in Watertown, NY. Paula later moved to Newburyport to be with Tom Quill, who became her husband of thirty years. Although they later separated, both cherished their years together raising their children Molly and Shea.

Family was everything to Paula. Her family was not just limited to people she was related to. She made friends everywhere she went, and made it clear that everyone was welcome at her table.

Paula earned a master’s degree in elementary education, and worked as a second grade teacher at Annie L Sargent Elementary School in North Andover. She adored her students, and stayed in touch with many of them years after they left her classroom.

The beach was a special place to Paula. All of her summers were spent in the sands of Seabrook Beach and Cape Cod, and nothing made her happier than a long day surrounded by her friends in the sun. Her son Shea surfs daily in Maine, and credits his love of the ocean to her.

Paula loved to travel, and one of the best memories in her life was a trip to France with Molly. The two walked the streets of Paris eating cheese and bread, visiting art museums and climbing the Eiffel Tower. Paula was a talented photographer, and took albums worth of photos on that trip. It was a passion that inspired her daughter to pursue a career in photography.

During Yankee Homecoming, you knew exactly where to find Paula. She would wake up every day just before sunrise, and put three large blankets next to the buoy. It became the best place to watch the waterfront concerts.

Paula will be remembered for her endless energy, her kindness and her relentless search for fun. Most importantly, she will be remembered for her ability to make everyone feel special about themselves.  

Paula was blessed with a large and loving family, and is survived by her children, Molly Quill and Shea Quill, their partners, Nicholas Mullins and Madison Van Etten; Tom Quill; her partner Scott Wright; her mother Carol Graveline; her siblings Robert Graveline, Kristy Graveline, Lori Tantakis, Kellie Netzer, Nikki Vogel, and Scott Graveline; her in-laws Meredith Graveline, Elizabeth King, Chris Tantakis, Chris Netzer, Patti Pfister, Brittany Cean, Timothy Quill, Kathleen Quill, Scott Sohlman, and Doug and Peg Chase. Paula adored her many nieces and nephews, Emma, Ella, Jake, Hannah, Emily, Eric, Samuel, Katelyn, Carly, Cassandra, Alexandra, Genevieve, Jonas, Linus, Ciaran, Caleb, and her godson Brent.

Calling hours will be from 5pm - 7pm on Friday, December 28 at Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home, 193 High St. in Newburyport. A memorial service for family and close friends of the family will be held at 11am Saturday, December 29 at Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home, followed by a reception from 1pm - 4pm at the Grog, open to all.

If you wish to honor her memory, please consider a donation to the Pettengill House or the Pelican Fund, two charities to which Paula donated her time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paula Vogel Quill, please visit our floral store.