Paola (Paula) Vianello Hafer, 72, died June 19, 2016, with family by her side in Las Vegas, Nev. She was born Aug. 2, 1943, in Venice, Italy, to the late Egidio and Margherita (Missero) Vianello. She was born into a family of eight siblings, of which five preceded her in death.
Always an adventurous spirit and full of life, she moved from Venice to London at the age of 18 and later met and married John Hafer. Together they had two children, Shon and Rebecca, and settled in Oak Harbor in 1976. She was married to Richard Wais for the past 25 years and they made their home in Oak Harbor.
She was a travel agent at Oak Harbor Travel for many years and retired in 2008. She enjoyed helping people plan big life events like a honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. She graduated from Skagit Valley College in 1991 and achieved travel industry certifications. She worked with various local clubs and charities.
She lovingly devoted her time and boundless energy to all her family and friends. Her interests included traveling, cooking, animals, exercising, knitting and reading. For the past four years, she and her husband had been living part-time in Las Vegas, Nev.
Mrs. Hafer is survived by her husband, Richard Wais; a son, Shon Hafer (Laura Hammond); a daughter, Rebecca Lazzari (Patrick); a stepdaughter, Kim Fore; a stepson, Kevin Wais; four grandchildren, Giovanni Lazzari, Nicolo Lazzari, Max Fore and Grace Fore; two sisters, Loredana (Vianello) Casimiro and Cesarina (Vianello) Grespi; and many, many relatives in Italy.
A Life Celebration will be held 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, at The Sierra Clubhouse, 2685 San Juan St., Coupeville. Please bring your favorite dessert to share. Visit Facebook under “Paola Vianello Hafer” for more event information and to share photos and memories. Private interment of ashes will be in Venice at a later date.
At the family request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Infinity Hospice Care, 6340 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV. 89118 (www.infinityhospicecare.com/foundation.php), or Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF), PO Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239-1108 (www.waifanimals.org/support).
