Paula Munson

"I hope you die young - at a very old age" is what her sister told her, and Paula Elizabeth Munson was still up-beat, fun-loving, energetic when she died at the young age of 95 on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at UPMC Western Maryland Hospital.

She was born on October 22, 1927 to the late James Paul Williams of Junior, WV and Mabel Pierce Williams of Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada.

In addition to her parents, Paula is also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Frank R. Munson of Frostburg who died in 2014; Ursala Bucki of Philadelphia, PA, JoAnne Calhoun and Lois Elliott, both of Frostburg; sister-in-law, Gladys Munson, widow of Harry Munson Jr. of Pittsburgh.

Surviving her are three dearly loved children, Pamela Elizabeth Mando, Lake Station, IN; Mark Frank Munson, Tampa, FL and Randall Harry Munson, Weeki Wachee, FL; nine cherished grandchildren, Michael J. Reyer and wife Katie of Wesley Chapel, FL, Jeffery W. Reyer and wife Julie, Frank J. Reyer and wife Jessie, Jennifer Elizabeth Reyer all of Lake Station, IN, Alexander Frank Munson and Nathaniel Harry Munson of Tampa, FL, Rachael Elizabeth Munson, Taelar Paige Munson and Caitlyn Paulina Munson all of Weeki Wachee, FL; two delightful great-granddaughters, Malina Elizabeth Reyer and Quinn Elizabeth Reyer; cousins, Sherri F. Shaffer, Jay F. Long, Grace Ann Dugan, Michael and Mary Marrale by Canadian cousins; brother-in-law R. Clark Logsdson of Somerset, PA; two nephews, Scott F. Logsdon, Nashville, TN, Chad M. Logsdon, Somerset; her only niece, Heather L. Logsdon and husband William Ladika and their daughters (great nieces) Alec and Elleigh; and special friend Chris Munson, Spring Hill, Fl.

Even happy people suffer sorrow at times but focus on their faith in God. Paula's beloved only sibling, her sister Jimma Adele W. Logsdon of Somerset, PA, died in August, 2015. The sister's maternal first cousins, Beth S. Lanigan, of Short Gap, WV, had died in July, and their paternal first cousin, Donna Rae Van Kauwenburgh of Suamice, WI, died in October.

The joy in Paula's life was her family whom she absolutely loved. She valued Pamela, Mark, and Randy as precious individuals and rejoiced in the loving effective parents and adults they are today. She took pleasure in that all are personable, attractive persons who are loving, compassionate, and strong in their belief in God. "She put laughter in our lives and faith in our hearts" summarized one. For all three, their childhood was filled with creative "adventures" all imaginative and many books. Her children appreciated her intelligence and work ethic, as they described their mother as loving, kind, and always laughing. They valued that she instilled the love of God and respect for moral living as they learned to enjoy beauty, water, and dogs (especially German Shepherds). They all have strong work ethics and know the value of books. Above all they knew she was "always there, a rock". They liked that she was whimsical and fun and they enjoyed that she detested parallel parking.

Paula enjoyed the fun of her grandsons with baseball, football, and blackjack; her granddaughters' dolls, tea parties and flowers; her great-grandchildren, stars and hearts; and for all of them there was art, music, water sports and books.

Paula was a graduate of Allegany High School class of 1945, Potomac State, Keyser, 1947, and West Virginia University in 1948. She was an honored scholar, journalist and an actress that she continued to be through life. Paula taught English and newspaper journalism at Beall High School which was interrupted by eleven years as a stay at home mom. She enjoyed teaching and she touched many lives with kindness and encouragement. She cared about "love of learning" and she was a professional newspaper person and writer. Was a published journalist, writer, poet, photographer, and artist. Her lifelong love of newspaper means that the "end" noted here is the veteran writers "30".

Paula was an active 60 year member of Frostburg United Methodist Church, charter member of Re Temple #118, Daughters of the Nile, band aid for the Ali Ghan Shrine Band, past president of Eta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma (Key woman Educators) of woman's spots club, and Frostburg House and Garden Club. "First Flake" she started the Frosty Flakes Red Hat group. She was a charter member of the Maple Hurst Golf Club, member of Farrady Post 24 American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies of the Elks, BPOE Lodge 470 as well as many other professional and organizations.

She valued the AHS class of '45 friends group "she was a hug magnet and always pleasant" said a fellow alumnus. She had been co-chair of the Woman's Civic Clum Marathon and an avid Bridge player and especially liked duplicate Bridge. Paula was one of three co-chairs who recently organized the area Woman's Marathon Bridge Competition.

Paula loved God and had long used random acts of kindness. Dr. Tom Kaylor evedited her as the inspiration for Camp Hope which they started at Frostburg Methodist Church. She was such a generous, friendly, fun loving person that she was blessed with many friends, neighbors, and former students who enjoyed being with her. Paula will be dearly missed by many.

Family and friends will be received at Durst Funeral Home, 57 Frost Avenue, Frostburg, MD, Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

A funeral service will be held at Durst Funeral Home on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Kyle Durbin officiating.

Internment will be at Frostburg Memorial Park.

Condolences to the family may be posted following the obituary on www.durstfuneralhome.com.