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Paula Ann Duggan Metzger

Paula Ann Duggan Metzger passed away peacefully in her home Jan. 11, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. She was born July 6, 1938, in San Francisco. Sonoma was her home for the past 25 years.

Paula is survived by her husband, Robert P. Metzger and his seven children: John S. Metzger, Catherine V. Altmeyer, William W. Metzger, Patricia A. Snow, Madeleine E. Geloso, Thomas D. Metzger and James C. Metzger; and 10 step-grandchildren: Sarah V. Altmeyer, Luke W. Altmeyer, Virginia M. Altmeyer, Rebecca M. Altmeyer, Timothy W. Mezger, Bridget M. Metzger, Daniel T. Geloso, Thomas S. Geloso, Michael W. Geloso and the deceased Jesse P. Snow.

Paula was the eldest daughter of the late Dr. William and Constance Duggan; she was "big sister" to Molly Duggan Dowd, Peg Duggan and Willa Duggan; and sister-in-law of Gilmore Dowd, M.D., and Bob Shiner. Her nieces and nephews are Gilmore Dowd III, Dr. John and Kathleen (Dowd) Belzer, Kevin and Colleen Dowd, Rick and Kristen (Dowd) Addicks, Ben Chambers and Karin Kaufman and Luke and Erika Chambers; and 13 grandnieces and grandnephews. Paula grew up with 17 first cousins with a grandfather who immigrated from County Tipperary, Ireland.

Paula was born and raised in San Francisco. She attended St. Brendan's grammar school and she was in the pioneer class of 1956 at Mercy High School. She worked for many years at one of the most respected malpractice law firms in San Francisco, the Bruce Walkup office.

She married Robert Metzger in 1985. After a few years they settled on seven acres of what would later be known as the "World Famous Metzger Vineyard." Sonoma is where the Duggan family spent their childhood summer vacations together with their cousins.

Paula can best be described as "The life of the party!" She so enjoyed sharing her life with others. Her kindness, quick wit and humor brightened every occasion. She said so much by her facial expressions. She would make us laugh until we had tears in our eyes. Her bright spirit encouraged everyone she met to live life to its fullest. An old friend described Paula as vital, beautiful and funny. She has many loyal longtime friends dating back to grammar school, high school and her working days in the '70s at the Bruce Walkup Law Firm. Enjoying good times and people is what made her life worth living.

A vigil service will be held at Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. Visitation after noon on Sunday until 8 p.m. A Mass at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church in Sonoma will be on Monday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m. Private inurnment.

At Paula's request, please send donations to either the Foundation for Integrative Oncology, P.O. Box 5031, Larkspur, CA 94977, 415-725-9818, www.complimentarycancercare.org; or Lifehouse, serving people with developmental disabilities, 100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite 309, San Rafael, CA 94903-2703 or the charity of your choosing.

Arrangements under the direction of Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476; www.duggansmissionchapel.com.