Paula Celeste Mann Goldwater, 69, of Nashville, Tennessee, was called Home on July 8, 2026, after a short but stubborn battle with cancer. In true Paula fashion, she fought it with grit, sarcasm and probably a few well-timed eye rolls.
Born on September 19, 1956, in Oakland, California, Paula grew up in Woodlake, California and loved performing as a majorette at WUHS and later at the College of the Sequoias. Playing with fire was one of her talents, usually on the end of a baton.
Paula spent 36 years as a Registered Dental Assistant – Extended Functions (RDA-EF), striving to make people laugh while shoving sharp instruments in their mouth. She attended the UCLA School of Dentistry and later taught dental assisting at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine, where she happily shared her knowledge—and likely a healthy dose of tough love and humor—with generations of students.
Paula believed life was meant to be celebrated. Fall Sundays belonged to NFL football. Regardless of who was playing, she was always appropriately clad in one of the 32 jerseys from her collection. She loved to travel and was working on her Italian for a return trip.
Her beloved Sophie was the star of countless photo shoots, modeling more outfits than most people own. After Sophie’s passing, Priva proudly accepted the role of diva-in-training, although she had some very big paw prints to fill.
Paula’s backyard pool was the center of countless parties where family and friends gathered for laughter, good food, and the legendary game known simply as “Pool Thing.” If you know, you know. Paula claimed she was part mermaid, and after a few glasses of wine, it was hard to argue. She also liked to say she looked so good because she was “well preserved” by all the wine she drank. Whether or not there was any science behind it, she certainly made a convincing case.
Her sense of humor was legendary—quick, wicked, and often just inappropriate enough to make everyone laugh while wondering if they should. She believed that life was far too short to take yourself too seriously.
She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Earl and Joan Mann; her husband, Jeff Mossman; her beloved Yorkie, Sophie; and her brother-in-law, David McCarthy. We imagine Sophie came running first, dressed for the occasion.
She leaves behind her devoted partner, Lance Price—better known as “Cabana Man”—who always knew where to find her: in the pool, watching football, or training Priva to be a Diva. She is also survived by her loving sister, Laura McCarthy Shaw and husband, Kevin; nephews, Phillip Williams and wife Lauren and Andrew Williams and wife, Dawn; niece, MaryBeth McCarthy and husband, Chris Malone; great-nephew and niece, Kieran and Kinley Williams; and many friends, former coworkers and students who will forever hear her voice in the back of their minds telling them exactly what she thought.
If Paula could write her own farewell, she’d probably say: Don’t waste too many tears. Watch a football game. Drink a good glass of wine. Jump in the pool. Dress up your dog. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Take the trip. And if someone suggests a game of Pool Thing, don’t ask questions—just play. And let Laura do the cooking, you know she will.
Paula lived boldly, laughed loudly, loved deeply, and leaves behind a lifetime of unforgettable stories, inside jokes, and people who are better for having known her.
To leave a condolence or share a memory of Paula, please visit the Tribute Wall. https://www.austinfuneralservice.com
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