Dr. Paulette Anne Osterman

Dr. Paulette Anne Osterman (LaCava) of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Born in Danbury, CT on March 11, 1940, daughter of the late Joseph and Mildred LaCava. Graduated High School in Bethel, CT second in her class. She married in 1964 to Frank Osterman and had three children; Karin Osterman of Foster, RI, Heidi Osterman Palmer of Lowell, MA and Joel Osterman of Houston, TX. Paulette started her nursing career as a staff nurse at Yale Psychiatric Institute New Haven, CT and after she became a nursing instructor at Rhode Island Medical Center teaching diploma and foreign nursing students. Later she joined the nursing department at the Community College of Rhode Island as a faculty member and become Department Chair in the nursing program second level. She was also adjunct professor at Providence College. Paulette received the following degrees: B.S in Nursing from Salve Regina College, Master’s of Arts in Education from Rhode Island College, Advanced Graduate Study at Rhode Island College, Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Rhode Island, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from University of Rhode Island. Paulette’s Ph. D dissertation “Presence Four Ways of Being There” was published in Nursing forum. Paulette received the following awards: Salve Regina University Nursing Alumni Achievement Award, Rhode Island State Nursing, Rhode Island Nurses Association Academic Nurse Education Award for her outstanding contributions to nursing education in Rhode Island, and Professor Emeritus from Community College of Rhode Island. Paulette gave much of her time to the following organizations: past board member of Kent County YMCA, a member of the Kingston Congregation Church, Rhode Island Nursing Association, Hillgrove House, and NAMI Rhode Island. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, planting and caring for her English flower garden, water aerobics, swimming, tennis and bicycling. She also enjoyed many trips abroad. She leaves behind her husband, three children, and two grandchildren, her daughter-in-law and two son-in-law. She had two brothers, Neil and James LaCava who passed on before her. After retiring in 2008, Paulette spent part of her year in Rhode Island and wintered in Fort Myers, Florida. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 11am in Old Fernwood Cemetery, Kingstown Road, South Kingstown.