Obituary of Paula Sue Burleson

Paula Burleson passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025. She is survived by daughters Jessica Burleson (Duncan Owen), Winnipeg, and Rachel Yossifon (Yossi); grandchildren Noa, Nadav, and Eliana Yossifon, Kfar Saba, Israel; brother Irving Korman (Francine), Akron, Ohio; nieces Julie and Melanie, and loving cousins. She was predeceased by her former husband, Richard, in 2022.

Paula was born September 4, 1938, in Akron, Ohio to Ben and Bertha Korman. As a child, she loved art and music. She played the violin, began singing at a young age, and sang with her father in the choir of Beth-El congregation.

From among her many talents, Paula decided to concentrate on singing, earning a Bachelor of Music (voice) in 1962 from Oberlin College, Ohio. She also studied Early music at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. At Hartford, she met lutenist (and future husband) Richard Burleson in a small group of music students taught by Joseph Iadone.

Paula and Richard began a career together in Early music performance of lute song, and they continued the partnership by getting married in 1964. Shortly after, the couple moved to Seattle Washington, where Paula worked as a dental assistant, continued singing, and found time to have two daughters. In 1970, Paula and Richard made the big decision to leave the U.S. and moved their young family to Winnipeg, where they both continued their musical careers. Paula and Richard performed extensively as a lute and soprano duo in Canada, the U.S., and Europe until 1985. In addition to her duo work with Richard, Paula was a soloist in weekly and holiday musical worship at St. Luke’s Anglican Parish for ten years in the 1970s and early 80s, and for five years at the Christian Science church in Osborne Village. She also gave private voice lessons from her home in the early days in Winnipeg.

Paula had a strong interest in psychology and decided to return to school in the 1980s. She began a second career in family therapy after completing a BA in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg in 1989, an MA in Education at the University of Manitoba in 1993, and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1996. She worked as a family therapist and trainer at several therapy centres in Winnipeg, including New Directions and Marymound, until her retirement. Paula’s work in therapy was focused around her interest in families of origin and interfaith counseling. It was important to her to encourage up-and-coming therapists, and she enjoyed teaching when she had the opportunity.

Paula practiced yoga for many years and was an avid cook, gardener, reader, and there wasn’t a cat in the world that she did not love. She adored old movies, especially anything with Bette Davis in it, or vampire films. She had a wonderful sense of humour and regaled her daughters with stories about the older generations of family she was close to as a child. She was often the most charming hostess of small dinner parties at a home filled with joy, amazing food, lively conversation, and if we were lucky, some perfectly sung Downland. In addition to touching many lives with her music and therapy, Paula will be remembered for her warmth and curiosity, and her independent and determined spirit.

May her memory be a blessing. In keeping with Paula’s wishes, cremation has taken place and her final resting place will be in Israel. The family wishes to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff of Maples Care Centre, who made Paula’s last days comfortable and peaceful.