January 17, 1943 – September 24, 2018
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10)
Dora Kliewer Pauls’ life was a illustration of this verse.
Born in Poland in 1943, Dora’s family came to Canada through Germany as refugees of war, losing her brother and father along the way. Dora, her mother, grandmother and two sisters settled in Aldergrove, attending and working at the East Aldergrove MB Church. She attended MEI (class of 1960), and later, Columbia Bible College where she met Nick Pauls. They were married in 1963.
Nick and Dora lived in Williams Lake and Kamloops, participating actively in the Cariboo Bethel MB Church and the Kamloops Alliance Church. They had four children – Charlene, Greg, Jeff and Kenton.
In 1976 they moved to Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators to serve in teaching and administration. They were passionate about encouraging children and families, believing that strong families were essential for effective ministry. Their local and expatriate colleagues knew them for their hospitality and compassion. They continued their work with Wycliffe in Calgary and Texas. In 1999 they moved to Langley to work in the Wycliffe BC office, where they became active members of the North Langley Community Church.
Nick and Dora retired from Wycliffe at the end of 2008 and only months later, when Nick passed away in September 2009 Dora suffered a huge loss. She grieved deeply but trusted in the Lord to sustain her with sufficient joy and strength to continue living a life that honoured Him. She continued to practice her gift of hospitality, building relationships in her neighbourhood and community and mentoring young women. She also visited her children and grandchildren whenever she could, and hosted them for a reunion in 2017.
In May, 2018 she moved to Elim Village in Chilliwack. She was influential in encouraging a sense of community in the new apartment building, and she enjoyed daily walks along the Vedder River. She was surprised in July to learn that she had cancer. Although her physical strength waned quickly, the strength of her joyful spirit did not. She passed away peacefully on September 24.
Her passing is mourned by her four children, their spouses and twelve grandchildren as well as her two sisters and their families, and a host of friends and mission colleagues around the world.
Submitted by Dora’s daughter, Charlene Foster
