Paulette Derkach
Paulette Derkach passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with MSA – Multiple System Atrophy.
Paulette enjoyed a long career at Hercules, Inc. whose Bike to the Bay team she led to the finish line for 10 years. She was the fearless leader of Kristine’s Girl Scout Troop, leading the girls on many camping adventures, the most memorable being white water rafting at Harpers Ferry, VA. Paulette was a passionate gardener and bird watcher and volunteered many hours at Tri-State Bird Rescue. She and Nestor truly lived life to the fullest traveling together to many destinations in the United States and around the world.
She is survived by her devoted husband of sixty years, Nestor Derkach, her daughters, Kimberly Sheldon (Ray) and Kristine Derkach Raszewski (Joe) and her grandson Tyler Tardona and his girlfriend Brittany Whalen.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 pm on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 12 pm. Inurnment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Tri-State Bird Rescue, 170 Possum Hollow Road, Newark, DE 19711 or online by clicking here.
Diane U.
My Deepest Sympathy to Nestor and the entire family. She will truly be missed by all. May God be with her and the family.
Becky Stille
Bud and I are so extremely sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing…many good memories from Wilmington College, Cullan Drive, and Florida. RiP Paulette…thoughts and prayers to Nestor and family.
Kay Johnson
My condolences to all her family. I enjoyed our time together both at work and getting together. I will miss her and her laughter. Love ya lady.
Debbie Marvel Yashura
Forever in our hearts. I will carry with me the fondest memories of family vacations spent at Bethany Beach. From her very seriously asking the poor kid to see his banana before deciding on a banana split, to her picking out a “pretty leaf” for her T-shirt from Ryan’s Gems and Junk. You will be missed.
Thomas Stine
To Kim,Ray and family,our sincerest condolences for the loss of your mom.
Sincerely Tom and Maureen Stine
Christine Brauns
My sincerest condolences to Derk and his family. I will remember Paulette as a lovely and kind “overseas” colleague and friend.
Christine
Gail Heath
I am so sad to hear of Paulette’s passing. She and I volunteered on Mondays at TriState on Monday’s closing shift and thoroughly enjoyed working together as a team. She was so brave after her diagnosis to continue doing as much as she could for as long as she could. Her just “go on living” attitude was inspirational and I’ll truly miss her. My deepest condolences to Derek and her family
Aggie
Our sincere condolences to Derkach family on your loss. Although we only met on a couple of occasions we remember Paulette as a kind friendly individual along with her husband Nestor. May the memories sustain you and bring you solace for the days to come.
Aggie &Fred (Marisa’s sister)
Patricia Reinbold
Sincere condolences to Paulette’s family. I knew her through Hercules; she was such a happy lady, very welcoming to all, so kind and had a huge heart. Rest in Eternal Peace, Paulette. 🥲
Nancy and Joe Kirby
My deepest condolences to Nester and families.
Elizabeth J Stenta
Nestor, she was beautiful inside and out. You both were great together and fun to be around. I will miss her but find solace in knowing that her suffering has ended.
Charlie & Barbara Brogan
Nestor, we are so sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing. She was such an outgoing, joyful and positive person. You and your family have our deepest condolences. May she rest in peace.
Elizabeth Burke
Nester, I’m so sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing. I have such lovely memories of her at VOB and of the enjoyable trip to the south which we enjoyed together. May all your fond memories lighten your days ahead.
Judy boyle
Nestor, I have never met a more cheerful person. It was always a treat to be in Paulette’s company. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Deborah Massaro
Paulette was one of a kind! My mother and I were blessed to be next-door neighbors with Paulette and Nestor for a few years. We had such fun together and I can still remember Paulette dashing about the neighborhood in her SUV to some committee meeting or event! She always had someplace to go!
The perfect pair. Paulette and Nestor – they go together like peanut butter and jelly, like bread and butter, like two peas in a pod❤️❤️❤️The love between them is beautiful and inspirational. Nestor took amazing, loving, wonderful care of his dear, precious Paulette, especially these past two years. His devotion made all the difference in her ability to cope with all the changes. He always seemed to know the right thing to do, from adapting devices to cutting off a ring!
Paulette was courageous and strong in the face of this dreadful disease. Her faith carried her. She never complained or said why me. She faced MSA practically, realistically and did what she had to do for her family. She always had a smile and never lost her sense of humor.
Paulette loved sharing stories about her daughters, Kim and Krissy, with such joy in her heart. Paulette was a wonderful, sweet friend. I will greatly miss her wisdom, kindness and her authenticity. You knew that she would always tell you the truth about something! She was a compassionate and kind person. Her love of all birds, except those darn grackles, is well known!
Our dear Paulette, her body gave out, but her spirit did not. She is absent from the body, present with the Lord. No more pain, no more wheelchair, no more tears. Until we meet again dear friend!
Rachel Emrich
Eileen, Bob & I were so sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing. She & Nestor were our back door neighbor at VOB. Paulette was a joyful person – active in the community with a positive spirit in all she did. She always had a smile on her face. Paulette’s diagnosis was difficult for her & all of her community friends. She faced it with such positivity. She will always be remembered as a ray of sunshine. We extend our sincere condolences to Nestor & the family.
Jola and Tomasz Dziubinski
Nestor, we are so sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing. May she rest in Peace. Our deepest condolences to you and all your family.
Jenny Caldwell
My deepest sympathies to all of Paulette’s family. I worked with her for many years at Tri-State Bird Rescue and she was always one of my favorite volunteers. She was happy to do anything that needed to be done and was fun to be around. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Andrea Howey Newcomb
I’m so sorry to hear about Paulette’s passing. Her dedication and compassion for the birds and the work she did at Tri-State Bird touched many lives—both human and animal. She will be deeply missed, and her kindness won’t be forgotten.
~Andrea Howey, Clinic Program Director
Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc.
Jessica Slutter
I knew Paulette from my time as a supervisor at Tri-State Bird Rescue. She was always one of my favorite volunteers to work with. She was so joyful, kind, and willing to help us care for the birds in any way she could. I’m glad I got to know her – she will be missed!
Joan Beatty
Paulette was a ray of sunshine every time we happened to be volunteering at Tri-State Bird Rescue at the same time. She always brought joy and positive energy in abundance and will be remembered with love by all that knew her. My heartfelt condolences to her family; may your hearts begin to heal knowing that Paulette was a special friend who had a positive impact in this world and will be sorely missed.
Sharyn Fagone
I want to extend my deepest condolences to Paulette’s family. She was a kind and compassionate lady, always positive, always a smile, and a pleasure to work with in the clinic at Tri State. She was a great “bird friend” that we will all miss very much.
Sharyn Fagone
Evon Brumberger
I am sorry for the loss of such a beautiful lady. I am fortunate to have enjoyed her friendship and her infectious laugh. My condolences to Nestor and her family.
Janice & David Grackin
Our sincere condolences to Nestor and all of Paulette’s family.
Tina Jones
I’ve been doing Paulette’s hair for many years. She wasn’t just my client, she was also my friend and I am going to miss her very much. My prayers go out to Nester and his family. May God be with them.
Lauren Szekely
Aunt Paulette, may you rest in Peace. Prayers for Uncle Derk and the girls
Monica
Uncle Derk,
We offer our sincere condolences for the passing of Aunt Paulette. We loved and respected Paulette. And I am so thankful she was there when I needed to talk with her. Derk, you had the most amazing wife and Kimberly and Chrissy you had the best mom in Paulette 🌺♥️
Janine
Sorry to hear of Paulette’s passing. My husband and I purchased their property in Bear some time ago and I think of Paulette & Nestor often. They left very detailed drawings and identification of every plant, bush, and tree on the property and left us their hummingbird feeders and food. They spent time walking us around and teaching us how to use the tractor. Very kind! Our condolences to Nestor and the rest of the family.