Paula Grimberg Plofchan entered eternal rest on March 2, 2026, at the age of 87. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Thomas K. Plofchan Sr., her parents, Bill and Rosalie, her siblings Alice (Hall), Rosemary (Esquivel), Bill, and John.

Born on January 25, 1939 in Camden, NJ and reared in Williamsport, PA, Paula received a Bachelors from Mount St. Agnes College in Baltimore, MD where she met her future husband. After marrying, they settled in Detroit, MI and had seven children. Paula received her Masters in Counseling from the University of Detroit and began a distinguished career in counseling and education – working for Ferndale City Schools and the City of Detroit. In 1988 they moved to San Antonio, TX with Paula embarking on a new career in publishing, working for The Psychological Corporation and serving as a consultant to the State of California until her retirement after Tom passed in 2001. She resettled in White Plains, New York to be closer to her children and grandchildren, eventually relocating to Charleston, SC with her youngest daughter’s family.

An intelligent, compassionate, funny, and loving woman, Paula championed educational literacy and diversity while serving various boards at the University of the Incarnate Word, the City of San Antonio, and Crayons to Computers. She was honored by the Women’s Global Connection for her service to promote the learning and leadership capacity of women locally and globally.

Paula was known for her jovial and infectious laugh, her stylish hats, her love of music, and the joy she derived from her many travels (especially with her children/grandchildren). A devout Catholic, Paula will be remembered for her style, curiosity, dignity, grace, and for being “forever 21”.

Paula is survived by her sister Judith Allen, brother-in-law Charles Hall, and sister-in-law Barbara Fairhurst; her children, Beth Ann (Jeffrey) Cueter, Thomas Jr (Kathryn), Margaret Mary, Paul (Laura), Pete (Tami), Dan (Steve Jeffries), and Jennifer (Lance) Tyler; 19 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation and Rosary, Friday, May 29th, 6-8pm at J. Henry Sturh Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Memorial Mass Saturday, May 30th, 11am at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Daniel Island, SC 29492

Paula will be buried beside her beloved husband, Tom at Holy Cross Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.

Paula and Tom’s shared advocacy for education is celebrated in the Thomas K. and Paula G. Plofchan Endowed Scholarship at the University of the Incarnate Word. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to https://www.uiw.edu/give/ with designation of the Plofchan Endowment.