The World's Happiest Rotarian
In loving memory of Paula Walsh (1945-2011).
Paula, we miss you so much. Our club will never be the same without the World’s Happiest Rotarian. We are very grateful for your vast and meaningful contributions over the years.
Paula R. Walsh, 66 of Bloomington, IL died at 2:20pm at home on Monday, December 19, 2011. Her memory will be cherished as an optimistic, loving, and adventurous person who saw only the good in other people. She shared her life-long chorus of “everything is great” attitude with those fortunate enough to call her a friend (almost anyone she met!). Through her unique “Paula Power”, she used her legendary energy level to share kindness and compassion. This was a blessing to both her family and community.
A proud native Texan, Paula Browning was born in Beaumont, Texas on January 31, 1945. She grew up quickly with much parental responsibility for her two younger brothers, Dan and Bob. In high school she was an active actress and public speaker – the Texas winner in the Voice of Democracy competition — which provided a trip to Washington D.C. which she always said “broadened her horizon and goals”. After graduating cum laude from South Park High School in 1963, she attended Lamar University. Paula held numerous offices in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority while working her way through school. She graduated in 1967 with a degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy and a minor in Special Education. Paula loved nature and outdoor sports, frequently citing her formative years on an East Texas farm and an Outward Bound Course she took as a young adult. She continued to create similar fond memories throughout her life centered on horseback riding, camping, hiking, and down-hill skiing.
While at Lamar University, Paula met husband Bill, (a Yankee!) cadet at the US Air Force Academy, on a blind date in college after being introduced by best friends Tom and Elizabeth Eaves. They were married June 5, 1968 on the same day of his graduation from the Academy. They lived and built lasting cadres of friends during stints in California, Texas, Thailand, Colorado, Indiana, and Mississippi, before making Central Illinois home, first in the Paxton/Rantoul area in 1986, and then in Bloomington in 1990. Wherever she and Bill lived, Paula found many ways to enrich her community.
First, Paula taught students with disabilities, attempting to mold them with her infectious enthusiasm and her fearless mindset. Paula left the workforce for a period to raise her children, Brent and Shannon, and continued as a dynamic force within their schools, church, and community as Youth Group Director, cub-scout den mother, co-president of local church council, and perpetual performer or director in countless community and school theatre works. After moving to Bloomington-Normal, Paula worked at WJBC Radio, B-104 Radio, OSF/St. Joseph’s Medical Center and CTS Inc., before retiring in 2009.
Paula excelled at her natural position of being Bill’s social chairperson and they always enjoyed double dates with friends and the One Nighters II, a private theater group started in 2002. Paula took immeasurable pride in the lives of her children and their friends, her three grandchildren, and the eight Illinois Wesleyan foreign exchange students (and their families) whom she and Bill sponsored in the past 18 years. She cherished the role of Godmother, second mother to her Wesleyan “kids”, and simply “friend” to Brent and Shannon’s high school, University, and adult circles. If someone knew Bill, Brent, Shannon, or daughter-in-law Nida – then they knew Paula. She was ever present and had a way of spreading her wings in relationships. She created a bond with not only “you”, but also your family, and in doing so, Paula forged deep and lasting connections.
Paula was extremely involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She loved their summer and Christmas times together, yet during the other seasons, “Noni” earned immediate frequent flier status on the routes between Bloomington and Boston, MA and then Paris, France where they live now. She was an energetic Noni who provided her grandchildren with lots of quantity and quality time, as well as a legacy they will cherish forever. Her bedtime singing sessions, cookie baking and book reading will be missed fiercely.
Paula will be remembered for her generous attitude and sunny disposition towards all. She lived life with a focus on helping others in their business and personal lives. The dynamism in her personal life carried over to her civic life as Paula valued community service and was involved with numerous organizations. She has been recognized and honored for her outstanding service with The 2011 WJBC Radio,”Don Munson Spirit of McLean County Award”for her years of service in this region, The 2010 Girl Scouts, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” honoree for her dedication to the ideals, principles, and practices of the Girl Scouts, The 2008 Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation, “Gale Keeran—Spirit of Success Award” recipient, The 2007 Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, “Citizen of the Year”co-recipient, The 2006 YWCA, “Woman of Distinction in Business”award which recognizes the professional achievement of women, The 2005 McLean County Chamber of Commerce, “Athena Award” recipient which goes to an individual who inspires and encourages the empowerment of fellow women business leaders, The2002 B-N Sunrise Rotary Club, “New Rotarian of the Year”,The ’94-95 and ’96-97 McLean County Chamber of Commerce, “Gold Key Member of the Year”, and the 1995 Business to Business Magazine, “10 Most Influential Business Leaders in McLean County” group, The ’94-95 McLean County Chamber of Commerce, “Gold Key Member of the Year”, The City of Rantoul, Illinois, “1990: Mayor’s Proclamation of Appreciation”recipient, The 1988 St. Malachy Church’s, “Kelly-Mattingly Donor Award”and in 1986, the United States Air Force Chief of Chaplains, “Meritorious Service Award” co-recipient.
Paula has been a board member or dedicated member for many groups, including the American Red Cross of the Heartland (Board Member), Athena International™, the Babyfold (Executive Board), B-N Sunrise Rotary Club (Member ’01-Present including terms as Vice-President & President), Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Birthright, Bloomington Downtown Business Association (Board ’04-’07), Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America, Community Advocacy Network (Steering Committee ’02-’04), Easter Seal/UCP of McLean County (many positions ’96-’06), Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity (OSF/St. Joseph Medical Center Team Leader multiple years), Illinois Wesleyan Associates (Board Member ’93-’11), Host Family for Illinois Wesleyan University Exchange Students (18 years and eight students from Russia, India, Latvia, Columbia, Moldova, Ecuador, and France), Leadership Illinois (’97-’03) and Leadership McLean County, McLean County Chamber of Commerce (’91-’09), McLean County Historical Society, St. Patrick of Merna Church’s Irish PumpkinFest tradition (initial organizer), and the United Way of McLean County (varied positions from ’96-’04)
She is survived by her husband Bill Walsh of Bloomington; son Brent (Nida) Walsh of Paris, France; brother Bob (Sarah) Browning of Marble Falls, Texas; brother Dan (Peggy) Browning of Dallas, TX; and grandchildren Kajus, Julius, and Simona Walsh; and myriad nephews, nieces, and cousins. Paula was preceded in death by her parents Prater and Ruth Browning as well as her daughter Shannon Walsh (1980-1998).
