Paula Scardino

Paula B. (Melnick) Scardino, 89, of Hopkinton and formerly Framingham, died Feb. 28, 2026, after a period of declining health. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and 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 Street 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 Blinstrub’s Village, a nightclub in South Boston where many famous entertainers performed.

Paula embarked on a career as a professional dance teacher, and 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 and wife Barbara of Franklin, and Stephen and 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 also was predeceased by her brother, Paul Melnick, her mother and father in law, Geraldine and Mario Scardino, and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Vincent Scardino, Frank and Mary Messina, and Alan Nemrow.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Paula’s life by gathering for visiting hours at the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home in Framingham on Friday, March 6, from 4-7 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. George Church in Framingham on Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paula’s name to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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