Paulette Marie Pitner Assunto

A Tribute to Our Beloved Mom, Paulette Marie Pitner

The Magnificent Muse

We lost our beloved mom, Paulette Marie—and the world lost a rare kind of magic. She wasn’t just a person, she was a force. A tiny 4’11” powerhouse who filled every room with light, color, energy, and fire. Her presence was unforgettable. Her spirit was unmistakable. And her love was undeniable.

Paulette Marie was a true original. Born with the heart of an artist, the soul of a seeker, and the mind of a warrior, she lived life on her own terms—and what a life she lived. She was beauty and spice, love and laughter, wit and wisdom, all wrapped into one fiercely expressive, unapologetically Italian woman. She had opinions, oh did she have opinions—and you were going to hear them. But just as fiercely as she spoke her truth, she loved with an open heart.

She was magic in a 4’11” package. Exotic like a wildflower, radiant in her style, with green eyes that could disarm and olive skin that glowed. She dressed up even on regular days—because life, to her, was worth celebrating. She created beauty everywhere she went: in art, in design, in fashion, in the connections she made. And her biggest passion? People. She could—and would—make friends anywhere: the coffee shop, the bank, the airport. She loved stories, strangers, and souls alike.

Mom was our biggest cheerleader. We could feel her rooting for us in everything we did, and that kind of love leaves an imprint that lasts forever. She was endlessly proud of her children, and we craved those moments when she’d light up and say, “I’m so proud of you.” She said it often and meant it every time.

But she wasn’t just a mother to her three kids—she was a mother to anyone who needed love. Her friends, our friends, even strangers who crossed her path—she embraced them all. She saw people. Really saw them. And made them feel like they belonged. That was her magic.

Professionally, Paulette was a trailblazer. She built a remarkable career—founding bookstores, creating publications, and promoting some of the most iconic spiritual voices of our time: Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, and yes—she once dropped acid with Timothy Leary. She chased wild dreams and caught them. She did legendary things, had a legendary heart, and lived a legendary life.

She taught us to live fully. To love deeply. To question everything. She despised judgment and rigidity. She believed in inclusion, in diversity, in lifting others as you rise. She taught us that if you have wealth, you share it. If you commit, you follow through. And if something doesn’t sit right with you—you speak up. She was fierce and focused. A protector. A guide. A muse.

Even in her final chapter, battling cancer, she remained a teacher. Her grace, strength, and humor showed us how to walk through fire with dignity.

She lived with boldness, curiosity, and a deep hunger for life. She felt all the feelings. Took shit from no one. And made sure we never doubted her love. She shied away from nothing—neither joy nor pain. She was the life of all the parties, the heart of every room, the woman who turned dull spaces into vibrant love-fueled forcefields.

If you met her, you never forgot her. She was a muse. The kind who awakens something in you. The kind who sees your potential before you do. She transformed people—lifted them up, helped them find their voice, their spark, their purpose.

Today we mourn, yes—but mostly, we give thanks. Because we got to know her. We got to be loved by her. We got to witness the legend that was our mom.

We love you, Mom. We will carry your spirit in every open heart, every kind word, every bold choice, every shared laugh. Your magic lives on in us, around us, and through us.

Thank you for showing us how to love with our whole hearts.

You were—and always will be—our magnificent muse.