Paulette Carol Henderson Brooks

Paulette Carol (Westlund) Henderson-Brooks, 65, of Holden, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2014, in Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington, Virginia, after becoming suddenly ill, while on a business trip. Paulette leaves her husband, Harry Brooks of Amherst; her loving children and grandchildren; a son, William Henderson and his wife Stefanie (DiGioia) of Holden; two daughters, Nicole Engman and her husband Vaughn of Sahuarita, AZ, and Renee Crizer and her husband Kevin of Holden; eight grandchildren, Tiphani Engman, Kyle Engman, Alissa Engman, Cherie Engman, Lauren Henderson, William Henderson, Mia Crizer, and Reece Crizer. She is also survived by a brother, Kenneth Westlund of Danvers; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, William Henderson in 1996, and by a daughter, Danielle Henderson in 1976, as well as a brother, Arnold Westlund, Jr. in 1996. Paulette was born in Gloucester, daughter of the late, Arnold and Andrea (Sasco) Westlund. She grew up in Gloucester, before moving to Holden in 2013. Paulette attended Mount Wachusett Community College, Smith College, and then went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the Western New England College School of Law. She also studied abroad in England at the University of Oxford. Paulette was an Attorney for the United States Government, Department of Homeland Security, specializing in Immigration Law. She loved her work with law and was proud to see Justice prevail. She enjoyed travel, knitting, playing the guitar, singing, gardening, and being close to the ocean. It was her family that brought her the most joy and she found the most fulfillment in being "Nana" to all of her wonderful grandchildren. Above all else, her life was lived according to her Faith. Calling Hours for Paulette will be held on Tuesday, July 29, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from the funeral home with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson (Holden), MA. Interment will take place on Thursday, July 31, for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Paulette's Grandchildrens Education Fund Acct #5605612 in care of Digital Federal Credit Union. This fund was established to assist her grandchildren, so they too may be able to further their education and quench their thirst for knowledge.