Paula Renee Eakin was born September 9, 1970, in Spokane, Washington, and passed away December 20, 2022 at home. She spent the first eleven years in Plummer, Idaho, and enjoyed the freedom a small town afforded her. The family moved to Kennewick in 1981 and she had to adjust to a bigger town and schools. Kamiakin HS band and her CNA class at Tri-Tech were influential in her life. Reading was a lifelong love and solace for her. She was always reading in her free time. Paula enjoyed traveling both here and abroad. Experiencing new places, food, people was exciting for her and she was never afraid to travel alone.

Paula's happiest times were at the University of Idaho. She enjoyed everything that the college experience had to offer plus her dear friends. After receiving her BS in Food and Nutrition she came home to start her career. She worked for a short time at Lamb-Weston and then moved to winemaking. Her first job was a temporary summer lab tech in Grandview and then she moved to Canoe Ridge Estate winery for several years before moving to Columbia Crest in Paterson. Her current position was the sparkling wine maker. Wine making was her career but also her passion. She always wanted it to be the best possible.

Paula participated in the AgForestry, class 36, program and thoroughly enjoyed her time, travels, and participation. The highlight of this experience was traveling to Cambodia and Vietnam.

Family was very important to Paula and her five nieces and nephews were her "kids". Paula is survived by parents Lloyd and Ardith Eakin, sister Jennifer Peha (Chris-Allan), brother David Eakin (Catherine), nieces and nephews Hannah and Jarrett Peha, Elliott, Julia, and Aaron Eakin. Also, aunts and uncles Royce and Darlene Wise, Jimmy Holmes, Robert and Naomi Eakin, Gary and Carole Gallant, and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by grandparents Alva and Marie Eakin, and Lloyd and Minnie Mitchell, uncle Melvin Eakin and aunt Norma Holmes.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the March of Dimes Portland, Oregon, or the University of Idaho Foundation for Houston Hall or Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences. Paula's funeral will take place on December 27, 2022.