Paula B. (Melnick) Scardino, 89, of Hopkinton and formerly Framingham, died Saturday, February 28, 2026 after a period of declining health. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Isaac & Lillian (Higgins) Melnick, and the beloved wife of the late Anthony J. Scardino for 59 years.
Paula was raised in the Back Bay at 35 Saint Germain St. and was a 1954 graduate of Brighton High School. After high school she moved to New York City where she worked as a professional dancer and was a member of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, with whom she traveled and performed in Europe with the USO. She later returned to Boston and worked at Blinstrubs Night Club in South Boston where many famous entertainers performed.
Paula embarked on a career as a professional dance teacher where she taught ballet, tap, and jazz. She founded The School of Dance Arts in Framingham where she taught thousands of students for close to 40 years. Many of her students went on to dance professionally, and many speak affectionately of their time studying with her. Over the years she regularly attended the Boston Ballet and live theater.
Paula is survived by her sons, Anthony & his wife Barbara of Franklin, and Stephen & his wife Michelle of Hopkinton, her grandsons, Joseph, Michael, Brandon, and Aaron, as well as four sisters in law, and many nieces and nephews who all loved her.
Besides her husband Anthony and her parents, Paula was also predeceased by her brother Paul Melnick, her mother and father in law, Geraldine & Mario Scardino, and her brothers and sisters in law, Vincent Scardino, Frank & Mary Messina, and Alan Nemrow.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Paula’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Friday, March 6th from 4-7PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. George Church, 74 School St. Framingham on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paula’s name to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1
To share a memory with the Scardino Family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Chesmore Funeral Home