Dr. Paula M. Wilson, 60, of Manor Township passed away peacefully on Tues. Jan 19, after a brief illness. Daughter of Paul M. and E. Frances Jones, 1979 graduate of Hershey High School and 1983 graduate of Kutztown University, Paula’s life was devoted to education in all forms. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Millersville University and a Doctorate of Education from Widener University.
For fourteen years she was Principal of Hamilton Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster. She made it a point to know the name of every single student, believed in, and saw the potential and ability in each one. While at Hamilton, she developed a 30-raised bed garden which is now in its twelfth year of existence. She loved to provide children with new and authentic opportunities to learn. She became involved in the Edible Schoolyard Program, combining her love of education and passion for nature.
After retiring in 2017, she became an avid gardener, graduating from Penn State’s Master Gardener Program. It brought her immense joy to cultivate and bring beauty into this world.
As a supportive wife and mother, she encouraged every passion of her three children and took great pride in her husband’s successful career as an artist. A constant supporter of the arts, she could frequently be found at her husband, Steve’s shows at Red Raven Art Company in downtown Lancaster, Pa. She spent so much time encouraging the music careers of her sons Matthew and David. Matthew is currently a pianist and vocalist on Bourbon St. in New Orleans, La. David has released four albums and has had great success as a guitarist and vocalist. She was also very proud that David recently started his own business, Steel String Painting. Her daughter Abby is following in her footsteps and pursuing higher education through a Masters Degree in Social Work.
In 2018 she was ecstatic to become a grandmother to Apollo James Ryan Wilson. She spent each day with him fostering a relationship that encouraged a childlike wonder of the world around him.
At the outset of her illness, she immediately sprung into action to create a yearly scholarship in her name, going to a graduating senior from the School District of Lancaster.
As an eternal bright light and always the most vibrant person in the room, she asks that everyone sees the beauty in each day.
She is survived by her husband, Steve Wilson, and her children Matthew, his wife Shannon, David, his wife Anne, Abby, her son Apollo, as well as her mother Frances and sisters, Melanie and Karen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Dr. Paula M. Wilson Scholarship for Future Educators” at the Lancaster Education Foundation, 445 N. Reservoir St. Lancaster, PA 17602 or at www.lancastereducation.com.
Lisa Buckius
Steve, we were sad to hear of Paula’s illness and passing. May our Lord provide comfort and peace to you and your family in the days and weeks to come.
Tom and Lisa Buckius
Ceil Scheetz
Dear Steve and family,
I was so shocked to hear of Paula’s passing. I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers.
Ceil scheetz
Alma Gantz
Abby
I am devasted for you and your family. Your mom was a GOD sent to me and my family last year with Zayvion. I just found out and am so heartbroken to hear this news. She loved on my grandson with everything she had, rearranged everything in her schedule to make it right for him. I cannot express the love I had for her. One thing I know is that she loved you and your son more than anything in this world and that is all she could talk about. We would talk for hours about Zay and the baby. I am praying for you and your family, I pray that GOD brings you comfort and peace in this time of sadness. If you need anything let me know, please.
Patrick Snyder
My condolences to Paula’s family & Friends. I was on the School Board and School Board President when Paula was a Principal at Hamilton. I always appreciated her passion for the students, for the staff and for the district. She was always very welcoming to everyone to her school. It was an honor to know her. She left the world a better place.
Robin Adler
Steve,
I’m so sorry for the sudden death of Your lovely wife Paula. Evy Epstein gave me the details. I had a blind student (Angie) at Hamilton, so worked in her building for 3 years. She went out of her way to provide Angie with every opportunity to be included in everything going on in the school. I remember Angie auditioning for the chorus , and Paula was right there in the room with her. My condolences to you and your family. She truly did light up the room when she entered! I pray that your memories will ease the pain that you feel. With deep affection , Robin Adler
Linda Strauss with Homefields
Paula’s embracing spirit and knowledge of gardening will live on at Homefields as would be her wish. Every day is beautiful as was she. We are blessed to have had Paula come our way. She is missed. Our thoughts are with the Wilson family.
Darlene M Taylor
Very shocked and sad to hear of Paula’s passing. My condolence’s to the family.
Darlene Taylor
Christine Bunce
I worked with Paula when she was with the IU and then when I was in Central Office at SDOL. She was always someone who had every child’s best interests at heart. When I was in her school, I would see happy kids doing amazing things under the guidance of great teachers. That only happens when there is leadership to support and encourage it. She faced significant challenges in getting that done but she found ways to deal with them. She was so proud of her family. She spoke with pride and love about you. I am so very sorry that you have lost Paula’s physical presence in your life. I hope the memories you created and shared together will help support as you grieve her loss.
Evelyn Epstein
My heartfelt sadness over the early passing of Paula Wilson. She was an extraordinary woman
and will be missed by so many people who knew and cherished her. My condolences to her
husband Steve, and children Matthew, David, and Abby, Apollo ,and the entire family.May her
memory be for a blessing, and her legacy live on in the scores of young people and students who remember her. And may she rest eternally with the Almighty.
Teri Berry
Steve, I’m truly sorry for your loss.. there are no words
Love and prayers to you and your family
Teri
Teri
Steve, I’m truly sorry for your loss..
There are no words
I’m lifting. You up in Prayer
Teri
Steve and Sophie Hower
Steve, Matthew, David, Abby,
Sophie and I are so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. It’s hard to believe such a vivacious soul has left this world. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
Steve and Sophie
Michele Mikula
Steve,
So sorry for the loss of your wife and soulmate……remembering the fond words you spoke of her in art class brought us all closer to knowing her. Prayers that beautiful memories and Paula’s loving soul will carry you through. Many blessing to you and your family!
Sincerely,
Michele Mikula
Krista denlinger
Dear Dr. Wilson will be so missed! She was an amazing principal who loved her kids. Always had a beautiful smile to greet anyone who entered the building. My daughter loves her! She said to me tonight “now Dr. Wilson can see me going to high school” yes Layla, Dr. Wilson is looking down on you and is very proud.” Krista Denlinger mother of Layla Lee. Thinking of and praying for your family.
Malikah Davis
My condolences to Dr. Wilson’s family and friends. I was a student in Hamilton while she the principal and I can say that she always had a smile in her face and never failed to put one on mine ! Dr. Wilson you will be truly missed by so many and you have touched many lives in such a positive way , we love you Dr. Wilson .
Dale Dee) Cameron Forry and family
Dear Steve and family;
I am truly saddened by the passing of Paula.
She was certainly an accomplished woman and i was happy to read about all her many accomplishments in the community.
I recall when working with you through many years, your love for her and your children and I will mourn her loss with you.
I am reaching out to you today with the message that i will be happy to be helpful to you and your family, and hope we can reconnect again sometime soon. Feel free to contact me at any time.
Becky Thomas Noll
When I noticed the death of dear Paula in the newspaper my heart was so sad. Paula was a favorite “mom” of mine at Lancaster Pediatrics. I worked as a nurse there for many years . Dear Paula was a mom who was so attentive to her children. She gave sweet Abby so much love and attention in the many times required care. She gave her heart to her family and she made a big difference in the lives of so many children in the School District of Lancaster.
May you find comfort memories of your times together and may you feel surrounded by love and prayers.
Steve Davis
Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Wilson family.
Steve Davis & Lynn Royer
Katie Craven
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Wilson was a principal at Martin school last year where I work. She helped me in many situations and she was such a joy to see in our building. I loved talking to her and her drop ins to my class. You could see that she cared with her whole heart. I wish that I had more time to with her. Thinking of you all during this hard time.
Katie Craven
Mary Forster
Karen and family, I am so saddened to hear of Paula’s unexpected passing recently and so sorry for your family. I am so impressed by Paul’s fore-sight in setting up a scholarship for a graduating McCaskey senior. How incredible that she thought of her former students during one of the darkest times in her life. She was amazing. My thoughts are with you all.
Greg Falk
Steve, Abby, David & Mathew,
My heart felt sympathy on the loss of your wife and mother. What great neighbors you have always been and we shared so many memorable times as our children were in school and football games ruled the weekends. Paula was so much fun to be around as well as being a good listener, and I will always remember her fondly. May God’s peace uphold and carry you through these difficult times. Please do not hesitate to call or message if you feel the need for a listener.
Pat &Rod Hines
Rod and I are so sorry for the loss of Paula,. Always bubbly, positive, supportive, and optimistic.; that was Paula. We feel blessed to have known her. She is one of the most beautiful flowers God has placed on this earth.
Sue Charles
Steve I just saw the notice in the paper and I just want to tell you how very sorry I am for your great great loss. I will pray for you as you begin life without your wife. I pray that you will feel the comfort of God in this time
Bernie Hershey
So sorry to hear of Paula’s passing. I was fortunate to meet her and your family when our children were at Jenkins. She has been a significant role model for me. And I counted on her several times to work with me in helping a child in her school. What a blessing she has been to so many ! Sending you all sympathies.
C GEORGE DIILIO
I am deeply saddened by Paula’s sudden passing. We became great friends through our work together as Penn State Master Gardeners. She and I co-chaired the Kids in the Garden Committee for several years, and it was so nice working with Paula, who had a wealth of experience with kids and gardens. I first met her at a meeting of the School and Community Gardens Task Force, when she sat among us in a T-shirt and jeans, covered with garden soil, fresh from Hamilton Elementary School. Right away, I knew Paula was someone very dedicated and very special. My future work as a Master Gardener will always be done with a hollow feeling, knowing that my partner in crime is no longer at my side. Somehow, I have a feeling that Paula is somewhere working on a garden.
Mason C.L Molina
I was a student at Hamilton Elementary after preschool from 2009 but than attended through 2010-2016, She was an amazing principal, not just for me but for my other siblings aswell, by the time I graduated I was devastated to leave, I never got the chance to see her again but however she was a very good principal and a good person. 🙁 rest in peace Dr.Wilson
Mary Lou Weaver Houser
Steve, this heartbreak is more than one can imagine . . . to have the vitality of Paula absent so suddenly from your life and this world.
She inspired so many, and her love of the natural world impacts students in an ongoing legacy.
Sending you my deepest regards as you live with this grief.
Pam Becker
I am shocked to read of Paula’s passing! We were in a Mom’s group together with our first born children. I pray God carries you in the palm of his hand and holds her in his loving embrace for all eternity.