Early Life

Why America?

Paula Berlis and her siblings immigrated to the U.S. to be closer to her mother and aunt. At the time, Paula's mother became severely ill, assumed to be paralyzed, after giving birth. When receiving treatment in Athens, Greece, the healthcare was not practical. As a result, Paula's mother, with help from her aunt, got a medical visa at 32 to immigrate to the U.S. four years before Paula and her siblings, hoping to receive better healthcare benefits. Unfortunately, Paula's mother passed away before her children were able to join her in America, so the family's determination to bring the family together grew substantially. As Paula's father was away working on boats, her aunt became her sole guardian, eventually bringing over Paula, her brother, and her sister in 1955.

Around 1952

Before she could immigrate, Paula lived with her grandmother in Greece while her mother and aunt resided in America. During that time, Paula's brother lived with another aunt in Greece.

1955

When immigrating to the U.S., Paula's aunt adopted her and her siblings to speed up the transition after her mother's death. At the time, Paula's aunt was 63 years old, while Paula was eight, her brother was sixteen, and her sister was fourteen.

1955 and After

After moving to the U.S., Paula was enrolled in primary school in Chelsea, MA, before moving to Brookline, MA, for better educational opportunities. Paula and her family have lived in the U.S. since immigrating in 1955.

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