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Thelma J. “Teila” St. Paul (57) was born February 13, 1955, in Nespelem, Wash., to John and Christine (Dick) Lezard. Teila passed away in Spokane, Wash., surrounded by her beloved family on Wednesday morning, September 19, 2012, at Sacred Heart Medical Center. A graduate of Riverside High School in Anadarko, Okla., Teila attended NW Indian College of Bellingham, Wash. On June 28, 1998, she married Darius “Kanie” St. Paul in an outside ceremony at North Dam Park in Grand Coulee, Washington. A member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Mission of Nespelem, Teila enjoyed her work for the Coulee Dam Casino as a Human Resources Analyst and belonged to the Grand Coulee, Washington Moose and Eagles clubs. An active “social butterfly” Teila loved meeting new people and spending time with her family and many friends. She enjoyed traveling, having particularly fond memories of cruises and trips to Hawaii, visiting wineries, boating, spending time gardening flowers and vegetables, and decorating and redecorating their home. Teila loved shopping yard sales, craft fairs, malls and anywhere else she could find new clothes and add to her collection of shoes. Her great love though was spending 24 hours per day seven days a week with Kanie and her wonderful grandbabies whenever possible.

Predeceased by both of her parents; brothers: Vernon Lezard, Gilbert Yellowwolf and Frank Lezard; sisters: Doris McCraigie, Evelyn Leaf and Thelma Lezard; Teila’s legacy lives on through her beloved husband Kanie St. Paul; children: Kristi Wilson (Catherine), Jamie Lezard (Kathy), John Wilson (Roberta), Michael St. Paul (Shari), Venus St. Paul, Kristin Whitehead, Victoria Uren (Dale), Robert St. Paul, Ginell Moon (Ronald), Bobbio Nault (Brenda), Norman Senator (Liz), Balboa George (Andrea) and Jason Whalawitsa; 37 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers: David Lezard (Linda), Kelly Lezard (Anna) Leonard Lezard and Wayne McCraigie; sisters: Kathleen Sam (Eugene), Lois Lezard, Lovey Thomas (Robert), Noreene Lezard (Wayne), Doreene Lezard, Virginia Lezard (Francis) and her numerous nephews and nieces.

A recitation of the Rosary for Teila will be held at 7 p.m., on Sunday, September 23, at the Nespelem Community Center in Nespelem, with a Memorial Mass at 10 a.m., on Monday, September 24, 2012. Burial will take place at Spring Canyon Cemetery in Grand Coulee, following Teila’s services.

Her family requests donations be made in Teila’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 920 N Washington St., Ste 200, Spokane, WA 99201, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index. An on-line register book is available at stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, Washington is honored to be assisting Teila’s family.