Paulette Marie High's Obituary
Paulette M. (Pritts) High, 82, gained her heavenly high heels on Sunday, May 4th with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Her visitation will be held on Monday, May 12, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 10 AM. The funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11 AM. She is being interred at Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Fairlawn.
Paulette was born to Paul and Frances Pritts on February 10, 1943. Paulette was a graduate of Eisenhower High School, Millikin University, and Illinois State University. She married Robert L. High on November 23, 1967. She and her husband adopted two children, Ryan (Susan) High of Knoxville, TN, and Betsy (Lucas) Crockett of Peoria, IL.
Mrs. High was a kindergarten teacher for Decatur Public Schools for 35 years. She taught the bulk of that time at Baum Elementary. Being a teacher was her calling and she enjoyed many activities with her students such as chasing a giant gingerbread man around the building, throwing elegant tea parties, and a game called “find Mrs. High’s reading glasses”. She would dress up as a witch on Halloween and tell her students that she was the “wicked witch of the North, South, East, and West” (all in good fun, of course).
Paulette was known for her taste in fashion and extensive wardrobe. She loved finding a good sale and wearing her pantyhose and high heels. Not one to settle down, she worked at Shop on Main after she retired from teaching. She had a vast array of reading glasses she bought from the dollar store and would lose them frequently.
Surviving are her children, grandsons Reesse Heckman and Eli Crockett, granddaughter Cailyn (Lyn) Crockett, brother-in-law Stephen (Patricia) High, sister-in-law Margery Kane, and many nieces and nephews. She is greeted in Heaven by her parents, husband, and beloved cousin, Jim Creighton.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Randall Residence, Imboden Creek Living Center, and Hands of God Hospice for taking care of her during her final days. They would also like to thank Sharon Dillow, Kevin Ogelsby, and Father John Burnette for their kindness and help. She will be missed by many friends and neighbors and probably many clothing retailers. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Cailyn Crockett for her Eagle Scout project, or Birth to Five Illinois.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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