BIDDEFORD - Paula A. Smart, 46, of Biddeford, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a year long battle with stage 4 cancer to which she succumbed after fighting with all her strength and positive attitude.

She was born on July 22, 1969 in Biddeford, the daughter of Donald W. and Diane (Blais) Smart.

Paula attended Saco schools until 1985 and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1987. She then furthered her education by one year at Berwick Academy to take prep classes before attending Lyndon State College in Vermont. She received her associate's degree from Andover College 1991.

Upon graduation, she worked for local car dealerships which would lead her to the job she loved: working for her step-father, Joe, and her mother, Diane, at R&R Oil Co. She was appreciated by her customers for her wit and caring.

Paula was a hard core fan of the Red Sox and the Patriots. Then there was Paula the athlete. She excelled in any sport she played from little league to ice hockey, basketball, softball and more, which she would continue to play years later in adult volleyball and softball leagues.

She was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and was a member of the Mainely Angels Women's Motorcycle group, which she eventually led as president. She later became a member of the Patriot Riders.

She had a love for Jeeps and enjoyed her last summer driving the one her stepfather, who loved her as his own, had given her.

Then there was her extended family: she enjoyed life to the fullest with her family members, doing yearly bike trips that would take them on many adventures from the Tail of the Dragon trip to Niagara Falls and many more.

She also had many friends who did not ride bikes whom she considered to be family; they spent many enjoyable hours together.

Paula could make friends easily, by the hundreds. They might be at the next table in a diner or in line at the grocery store or behind the counter where she would get her lunch. With each she shared a secret name or a private joke, or special song or "a laugh until you spit coffee out of your nose" story about how they had met. So many of these stories were being shared in the Gosnell House during her time there that her visitors were asked to keep it "to a dull roar." This was Paula's way bringing life to the party, causing trouble and spreading love.

She was preceded in death by: paternal grandparents, Walter and Shirley Smart; and maternal grandparents, Raymond and Therese Blais.

She was survived by: her father and step-mother, Donald and Saundra Smart of Dover, New Hampshire; her mother and step-father Diane and Joe Roberge of Arundel; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She will also be missed by her cat Stanley and her dog Rudy.

Special thanks to her friends, Cheryl, Debbie, Kim, Lisa and Robin who tirelessly sat with her every day for long hours. And a special thanks to her aunts, Aline, Nancy and Carol who also spent long hours with her. Thanks to Scott Smith for being a great friend and to all the other friends who stopped by.

Visiting hours will be 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the funeral home. Private burial service will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit www.hopememorial.com.