Zita Maria Paul

Portland - Zita M. Paul, 80, died peacefully on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation and Nursing Center following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Zita was born in Emertsham, Germany on December 27, 1937 the daughter of the late Franz and Cecilia Strobl. She attended schools in Germany. At the age of 17, Zita moved to the United States to be near her sister. On May 25, 1974, she married the love of her life Frank J. Paul Jr. at St. Patrick's Church in Portland where together they continued to make their home. Zita worked for many years in the retail business as a sales clerk and department manager at W.T. Grants Company until it closed. She was a long time communicant of Our Lady of Hope Parish (St. Pius X) where she was very active in church activities including alter server, Eucharistic Minister, and working on the church fair. She was a member of the German Club, a square dancing club, and the Accordion Plus Band for several years. Zita will be remembered as a caring, unselfish, and talented person who was always willing to give a helping hand to others. Zita was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Hoelzlhammer. She is survived by her loving husband, Frank J. Paul, Jr. of Portland; a sister, Wilhelmina and her husband Robert Flaherty of Cape Elizabeth; a brother, Manfred and his wife Renate Strobl of Germany; several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours celebrating Zita's life will be held on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 9:00am to 10:30am at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10:15am followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Zita's memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com