Paula Herbert Lefler Read was born Feb. 26, 1936 in Clearfield. She was the daughter of the late Ralph J Herbert and V. Margaret Mellott Herbert.
She always felt proud and fortunate to be reared in Woodland and Bradford Township. She was brought up in the Methodist faith.
She attended Woodland Elementary School through eight grade levels and graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1954, the Clearfield Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1968.
She attended Clarion University to obtain her elementary certification. She worked as a registered nurse on the staff at Clearfield Hospital and at the Stanly County Hospital in Albemarle, NC.
She was employed as an instructor in the Clearfield Hospital School of Nursing for three years until the school was closed. She retired after 30 years as a first grade teacher at the Third Ward Elementary School in the Clearfield Area School District.
She enjoyed music, going to the movies, traveling, musical theater and being with her friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two sons, Henry B. Lefler of Luthersburg and Ralph H. Lefler of Frenchville; two grandsons, Dane Lefler and Jordan Lefler of DuBois; and a sister, Phyllis Mullen of Allentown.
She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Aid Society of Clearfield County, the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, the Clearfield Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Clearfield Hospital Nurse’s Alumni and volunteered at the Centre School.
As her wishes, the family will receive condolences with a short memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ag Building at the Clearfield Driving Park followed by a celebration of her life.
Friends will be received from 1 p.m. Sunday until the hour of the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Children’s Aid Society, 1008 S. Second St., Clearfield, PA 16830, Clearfield Hospital Nurses Alumni Scholarship Fund, C/O Rita Thomson, 612 Arnold Ave., Clearfield, PA 16830 or to Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Scholarship Fund, C/O Joyce Graham, 971 Flood Rd., Clearfield, Pa 16830.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.
