Pauline “Paula” E. Berg lived in Lee’s Summit for the last 15 years, but began life in Des Moines, Iowa on Feb. 9, 1927.
An only child, her father William Hite died when she was 9 years old. From an early age, Paula especially loved her cousins and friends, staying close to them over time and distance with many letters and visits back and forth, while making many wonderful new friends throughout the years.
Graduating from Lincoln High School in Des Moines in 1945, she went to business school and also completed the course “How to Win Friends and Influence People” with Dale Carnegie, who signed a copy of his book for her.
She worked as a secretary, continuing that career after moving to Kansas City.
Joined by her mother, Leona Hite, they lived in an apartment in the midtown area and told many stories over the years about the fun of dancing to live big band music.
Her mother was a professional seamstress, making salesman’s samples for a garment company.
Both were known for their sense of fashion and style all their lives. A mutual friend introduced her to Louis Berg, whom she married in 1955. They bought their first house in Raytown before the birth of their only child, Leah Berg. Her mother came to live with them until Leona passed away in 1988. When Louis died of cancer at age 54, she went back to office work for a local doctor for several years and then for the locally published magazine Acres, USA. Paula battled many health problems much of her life, but amazed everyone by living to age 92.
Paula loved dogs, movies and reading, flowers, crosswords and other word games. After losing her vision to macular degeneration, she looked forward to audio books from the Wolfner Talking Library and stayed in touch by phone with friends and family.
A valued team of friends and caregivers helped her daughter care for her in her home for over a year until she passed away late May 20, 2019 with Leah and close friend Leila Effertz present. Burial was private, with a later gathering planned to share memories to celebrate her life. Any donations to Wayside Waifs or Guiding Eyes for the Blind in her memory will be appreciated.
