Paulina Tananko Obituary

January 18, 1932 - April 28, 2013
Paulina Tananko, 81, grew up in the Boyle Heights and Atwater neighborhoods of Los Angeles, attended Hollywood High School and U.C.L.A., and taught for more than 30 years in Los Angeles City Schools. Paulina is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Stephens, niece, Linda Park, nephew, Greg Stephens, and her life-long best friend Barbara Pene and Barbara's family.
A memorial service will be held in the near future.

Published by Los Angeles Times on May 12, 2013.
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It is likely that this lovely woman was my 4th grade teacher at Riverside Drive elementary school, and if so, there aren't enough pages to describe and explain the ways that she formed me and my brain. That's a strange way of expressing it, but the truth: Miss Tananko will always be a huge part of who I am, from her Friday reading hours in which she shared the best books with us, to her secret box, to the way she recognized my abilities and urged me to express them. Years ago I stopped by the school and asked the office for a forwarding address or any way to contact her, to no avail. This is my way of expressing the great love still in my heart, over 50 YEARS later, for Miss Tananko, who used her gifts in a most magnificent way. She will never be forgotten.

Judy Silinsky

August 16, 2021

I couldn't believe Ms. Tananko passed away. She was my 3rd grade teacher at Vine St. in 1984. I have always remembered her and always will for pushing me to do my best. One of the field trips I'll always remember is when she took the class to the library. It was my first time to ever step foot in the public library. Wish there were more teachers like her.

Lillian Becerra

May 13, 2013

Paulina was a special person in my life while she was on this earth and will remain so while in heaven. I will love her and miss her always.

May 12, 2013

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