In Memoriam

I had the pleasure of being employed at PACER Center for many years after graduating from college. As I embarked on being a "working woman", Paula's office was only a few steps away from mine. I was able to view this amazing leader in action every day. She inspired those around her and had a true passion for the work she was doing. She was a wonderful example for me and those around her. She will be missed by so many.

Now, I work at ACET Inc in Bloomington (not far from the PACER building) and I support an initiative to provide a community of practice for care coordinators for children and youth with disabilities across the state of MN. Many PACER folks attend our events. I want to extend ACET's heartfelt sorrow and grief at Paula's passing. She was certainly one of a kind!

Lisa Perkins Smith - Carver, MN

Paula never met a person she could not consider a friend. She made parents of children with disabilities feel welcomed and supported at the PACER Center. Her warm smile, sincere concern for others, and ability to make you feel as though you were the most important person she could speak to, all worked to build PACER into the success it is today. I was immensely grateful for her support as I navigated educational support for my sons, and honored to give back my time and support so her work would assist others. She was immensely proud of her own family and her love for them was always an apparent in everything she did. I pray each member of her family knows how immensely loved they are by her.

Suzanne Woods - Chanhassen, MN

When my wife Suzanne and I first received our son’s diagnosis, we were beyond overwhelmed. More than that, we felt alone . Paula and the PACER a family gave us so much more than tangible resources and effective advocacy - they helped us replace those feelings with ones of normalcy, connection, hope and empowerment.  I know that so many others who benefitted from Paula’s friendship tell similar stories. We are forever grateful that Paula chose to give so much of herself on this focussed mission and are so privileged to have known and worked with her - her warmth, her humor, her demand for excellence and her ability to challenge you to give more of yourself to the community around you.  Our sense of loss is profound and we wish peace and healing to the Goldbergs, the Sandbergs and all of Paula’s family. Thank you, Paula, for ALL you did, and the legacy you have given us all. 

Matt Woods - Chanhassen, MN

I have such wonderful memories of Paula upon my indoctrination into the world of Parent Centers. She was a true and natural leader and she supported and inspired me by her tenacity and gracious attitude. Thank you Paula for all that you have accomplished and the wonderful work you've done! You will be always remembered. 

Kat Lowrance - Redding, CA

When I first met Paula as a new parent center director over 22 years ago I was in awe. I had never met anyone like her. That remains true to this day. My heart goes out to all who knew & loved Paula and may her legacy help fill the hole that’s been left in so many hearts.

Bev McCarty - Charleston, SC

I am sad. I met Paula during my parent education studies in Turkey. The belief and trust that parents of individuals with special needs can understand and support each other was the basis of Paula's advocacy philosophy. Paula, which I asked for support for the first online family education project I prepared in Turkey, inspired our project. Thanks to you, PACER has crossed its borders and reached Turkey. The thousands of children with special needs you support will understand that you protect their rights, and their families will remember you with respect. 

Prof. Dr. Atilla Cavkaytar - Eskisehir-Turkiye

In 2003, I made one of the most important and impactful phone calls of my life. That year, the legislature passed a bill to place a sur-tax on families raising a child with disabilities (which still exists, by the way). I was irate enough with the bill that I called Paula. From that long phone conversation, the lives of my family changed.

Soon, Paula had me become a volunteer on the PACER corporate sponsor committee. Next, she had me serve on the Board of Directors. It wasn’t long until Paula had me serve as the president of the Board of Directors. Even when the bylaws required a mandatory sabbatical, Paula had me come to all of the board meetings as a guest visitor. She even had me stay on the PACER executive committee for the last 16 years.

From time to time, Paula would call me for a special project. The Minnesota Legislature or the Department of Education would be pulling together a work group or task force on issues the affected children with disabilities. She would make the necessary phone calls and have me appointed to those committees so that we would have a seat at the table.

Paula was more than special; she was extraordinary. Paula had two sons David and Rob, but neither had any disabilities. She did not have any apparent reason to cofound PACER and take on 45 years of work in the disability area. She was admitted to law school, but decided that her calling was for the children with disabilities that needed an advocate. As David referred to her in a New York Times interview a few years ago, she was an entrepreneur for making things better. She built PACER from a small nonprofit with a few part-time employees, to one of the leading nonprofits for children with disabilities. People come regularly from around the world to learn about the concept of parents helping parents that started at PACER.

A few months ago, I received a phone call that I knew would come someday, and always would be too soon. Paula’s health was starting to deteriorate. She and Rob asked that Julie and I pay a visit in California. Paula never wanted to retire, and we were looking for a way to support our cause and continue working together. We decided together that I would serve as her part-time volunteer interim chief operating officer. Mortality was never expressed in our conversations over these last few months, but it was always in the air. 

Paula was surrounded with good people. Rob and Paula’s daughter-in-law, Sheryl, are exceptional people. They took such good care of Paula. Especially over the more recent time, they made her life comfortable and kept the grandchildren near. I am so impressed with them and have enormous gratitude for their family.

In our last several phone calls, Paula and I limited the topic only to the children and grandchildren. Of course, her grandchildren were always on her mind and a source of a great deal of pride. Our son Evan was a frequent volunteer at PACER, and Paula wrote one of the letters of recommendation for his admission to medical school. In our last telephone conversation, she was thrilled to learn that he had been accepted to conduct his neurosurgery residency at Beth Israel Harvard. Her health may have been failing, but she wanted to know all about Evan’s success.

A few years ago, Paula suffered a tragedy that no parent should experience. When her son David died, I thought it might be the end of her. Her grief was overwhelming. I was with her a number of times soon after David died and watched as she received condolences from other people, but then she remarked every time about how wonderful it was that the other person had known David for so long. It struck me that during her grieving she saw the blessing we all have in enjoying a relationship with someone that is so dear to us.

I am so fortunate and blessed to have known and worked with her for the last 19 years.

Don McNeil - Minnesota

She was simply The Best.

Bob Whitehead - St Paul