Paula Marie Johnson

Paula Marie Johnson, 52, of Akron, passed away at home with her family by her side on October 24, 2025. She was born on September 18, 1973 in New Castle, Pennsylvania and moved to Akron, Ohio as a child. Paula graduated from Garfield High School in 1990. Not long after, she caught the eye of a young man in her neighborhood, Jose Figueroa. Jose was drawn to Paula's beauty and her sweet, soft-spoken ways. They married and began a family, which grew to include two children: Miranda and Emanuel.

Paula was a dedicated homemaker until her children were in school and then she enrolled in school to become a nail technician. After receiving her license, she worked at several area spas including the Spa at Yellow Creek and Sam Wanna.

In her free time, Paula loved to cook for her family and friends. She made great comfort foods like beef stroganoff, zuppa toscana, and banana bread as well as many authentic Puerto Rican dishes. When dining out, Paula always enjoyed a trip to Panera Bread or seafood restaurants. One of her last dates with her son Manny was to A Plus Crab in Cuyahoga Falls. Before going out, she always dressed up and wore her favorite jewelry.

One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother, affectionately known as "Peanut" to her granddaughter. Paula was eagerly anticipating the birth of her second grandchild in a few months.

Paula will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Jose Figueroa; children, Miranda Figueroa (Dwayne Dunn) and Emanuel (Summer) Figueroa; parents, William and Melody Ford; siblings, Mary (Mitchell) Friedlein and John Ford; mother-in-law, Modesta Masso; siblings-in-law, Javier (Rachel) Figueroa, Rafael Figueroa, Elizer Sanchez, and Cassandra Sanchez; granddaughter, Layla Murphy and one grandchild on the way; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Per Paula's wishes, her family will celebrate her life privately.

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