Cumberland, MD - Paula Jo (McCusker) Friend, 82, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2026, with her son and daughter by her side. Friend; her brothers-in-law, Bill Friend, Sam Friend, Henry Black, Bill Kiser and Joe Bishop; her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Gaus and Ilene Bridges; and a special nephew, Van Gaus. Married on Nov. 16, 1963, Paula and Jim remained devoted to one another until his untimely passing in August 2000. Above all, she was a devoted mother to James P. Friend Sr. (Krista) and Brenda Friend-Knippenberg (John). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Hill Scholarship Fund - James Friend Memorial Scholarship (soon to be renamed the James and Paula Friend Memorial Scholarship), https://ctfinc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1105.