Paula Weisskirch Deceased: January 31, 2009 Service Information: Visitation: Thursday, February 5, 2009 4pm until 9pm Lying in state: Friday, 12 noon until service at 1pm First St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church Officiating: Rev. Delayne Pauling, Rev. Paul W Krause Interment: following at Rosehill Cemetery Grave 2, Lot F, Sect. 102

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Paula Jeanne Weisskirch was born July 7, 1948 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in the suburb of Hopkins with her parents, Lorenz Weisskirch and Gertrude Weisskirch (Walther). In high school, she was an avid musician: participating in both the high school orchestra and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

Paula pursued majors in French and English at the University of Minnesota; perhaps her most memorable experience during that time was a grand tour of Europe in 1969 with her friend Kathy Murphy. Paula enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a Masters in English. She was thrilled to be at an active campus in tune with the movements of the early 1970s.

In 1978, Paula moved to Chicago. She worked as a computer programmer at the Railroad Retirement Board and the Midwest Stock Exchange before working at Heller Financial. She also acquired an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1983.

Mark Luscombe appeared in Paula’s book group at the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations in 1980. The two were married on May 5, 1984. Paula and Mark enjoyed an active life in the Chicago cultural scene – checking out new restaurants and frequently seeing performances at theaters, the symphony, and the opera.

Paula left work in 1987 after the birth of her first child, Julia. Paula and Mark had a son, David, in 1989. Both children attended pre-school at the Lincoln Park Co-op, where Paula became an active volunteer and member of the Board of Directors. At the Latin School of Chicago, Paula worked on the bi-annual fundraising auction and the Parent’s Council. She was named “Volunteer of the Year” for her work on behalf of the school.

Since moving to Chicago, Paula was an active member of First Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, volunteering for their Community Meals program. Paula returned to work in 1996 at a branch of the AON Corporation later sold off to the Warranty Group. Paula and Mark enjoyed taking their now grown children on trips across the United States and to Europe.

In late 2006, Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer. After recovering, she was surprised to find out in the summer of 2008 that the breast cancer treatment had lead to leukemia. Treating the leukemia led to health complications, and after a six-month long inspiring fight, Paula passed away on January 31, 2009.

February 3, 2009

Dear Mark, Julia and David,

You have our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. We remember Paula in our prayers and keep her in our hearts. She meant the world to you, and you all meant the world to her. May all your memories of her engaging personality, her dedication and her achievements bring you great comfort.
She won us over the first time we met her. The visits she and Mark have made to our mother in Jefferson has meant the world to her, and to my sister, Lori, and me.
We're thinking of you all. - With Love, Cousin Rosanna Weis and husband, Greg and children Andy, Paul & Carol.

February 4, 2009

To Paula's family,

I had worked with Paula at AON up on Broadway. We use to talk about our kids (David and Julia for her and Carl for me). She was very proud of both of them and what a great job they were doing at Latin (We use to talk trying to get Carl there - but he ended up going to Culver). She was a shining light and I'm sure you miss her very much.

Kate Ardissono