Paula Ann Knott, formerly of Spruce Avenue, Sharon, passed away peacefully at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, in Clepper Manor, Sharon, after an extended illness. She was 81. Mrs. Knott was born Sept. 16, 1934, in Farrell, a daughter of LeRoy and Ann Moder DeBrakeleer. A 1952 alumna of Farrell High School, she attended Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and received her bachelor's degree in education from Youngstown State University. She had the rare distinction of being Farrell High School's homecoming queen in 1952 and YSU's homecoming queen in 1956. Paula began her career as a volunteer special-needs teacher at C.M. Musser Elementary School in Sharon during the late 1960s and early 1970s. She retired from ARC of Mercer County, Hermitage, formerly known as MCAR, where she taught the most mentally- challenged students for more than 30 years. Paula was a former member of St. Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Church, Sharon, where she served as a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) instructor and was a daily communicant for many years at the 8 a.m. Mass. She had a strong faith in God and was a member and deaconess of Abundant Life World Outreach Center, Sharpsville. She also coordinated and hosted Bible study classes in her home and was a hospice volunteer. Surviving are: three daughters, Leann Lear, Sharon; Gerri Dickman, Reading, Pa.; and Debra Mirage and her husband Paul "Jody", Sharon; two sons, Paul Knott and his wife Kristen, Hermitage; and John Knott, Augusta, Ga.; five grandchildren, Rachel and Ryan Knott; James H. Smith and his wife Amie; Jill Reich and her husband Greg; and Julie Dickman; four great-grandchildren, James E. Smith, Jayla Reich, Lily Reich and Giani Guarnero; her former husband, Tony Knott and his wife Pearl; a sister, Deanna Opalenik, Hermitage; a brother, LeRoy DeBrakeleer and his wife Diana, Hermitage; and several loving nieces and nephews. Paula was preceded in death by her parents. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Jacob Lewis Memorial Foundation in care of Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, 7 W. State St., Suite 301, Sharon, PA 16146; or online at jacoblewismemorialfund. org KNOTT Paula Ann, 81, formerly of Spruce Avenue, Sharon. Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (11-9-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory. com Service: Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday (11-10-15) in the funeral home chapel with Monsignor Salvatore P. Mitchell officiating.