Paula Jo (McCusker) Friend, 82, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2026, with her son and daughter by her side.

Born on July 13, 1943, in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Paul McCusker. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, James "Jimmy" O. Friend; her brothers-in-law, Bill Friend, Sam Friend, Henry Black, Bill Kiser, and Joe Bishop; her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Gaus and Ilene Bridges; and a special nephew, Van Gaus.

Paula grew up in Baltimore and attended Western High School. At 18, she moved to Cumberland to help care for her grandmother and later worked at the White Coffee Pot, G.C. Murphy's, Town and Country, Lazarus and Biederlack of America. She also served as a caregiver for the late Fanabelle Doub for many years.

Married on November 16, 1963, Paula and Jim remained devoted to one another until his untimely passing in August 2000. She was known for her feisty personality, infectious laugh, fierce loyalty, and wonderful sense of humor. Above all, she was a devoted mother to James P. Friend, Sr. (Krista) and Brenda Friend-Knippenberg (John). Many would also say she helped "raise" countless neighborhood children in South End, along with the many classmates and friends of her children who were always welcomed into the family home.

Paula is also survived by siblings, Cynthia Black, Millie Bishop and Joe McCusker; sisters-in-law, Ann Friend and Linda Friend; brothers-in-law, Ed Gaus and Wes Bridges; grandchildren, Jeni Friend, James P. Friend, Jr. (Latishia), Sarah Thomas (Alex), Joe Thomas (Alesha), Maddie Matrey, Curtis Matrey, and finally, the caboose and her partner-in-everything, Hayley Smith; great-grandchildren, Grace, Carter, JoJo, Mick, Lennon, Alivia, Rhylan, Lucas, and Victoria; and many nieces and nephews.

Over the years, Paula enjoyed playing bingo, dancing the jitterbug, and doting on her beloved Dachschunds. She chaperoned Sentinelette trips to New York, Virginia Beach, and Dayton, and loved watching her granddaughters dance - Jeni on stage at Kansas State University and Hayley at Disney World. She also enjoyed cruises and trips to Florida with her late neighbors, Jim and Shirley McCullough. Most of all, Paula treasured time with her children and grandchildren. She was always ready for amusement park trips, family visits to Kansas City, and shotgun rides to QVC with her daughter, Brenda. From her son Jimmy's early football days through high school, and later as her grandson carried on the tradition, Paula's cheers could always be heard above the crowd. She will be remembered for her outgoing spirit, her love of family, her way of never meeting a stranger, and her frequent use of the work "peckin." IYKYK.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, at 1pm. Friends will be received two hours prior from 11am to 1pm. Inurnment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Hill Scholarship Fund - James Friend Memorial Scholarship (soon to be renamed the James and Paula Friend Memorial Scholarship) https://ctfinc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1105.

Jimmy and Brenda would like to thank the 7 South staff at UPMC for the compassionate care, the incredible kindness of the Hospice nurses and social workers, Brandy Phillips and Sarah Thomas for their added care and support in her final days, and last, but not least, our friend, neighbor, and more affectionately known as Mom's Uber driver, Opal Hare, for all her love and support of our dear mother. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Condolences may be left at www.ScarpelliFH.com.