Paula Kovarick Segalman

Paula Kovarick Segalman passed away at her home in Baltimore on May 8th 2015, after a long struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig's disease. Paula was the daughter of Major General Joseph W. Kovarick, USAF and Barbara Walbridge Kovarick, a nurse. She was born and raised in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She attended Stroudsburg High School, and was an accomplished equestrian and open jumper traveling the United States and riding on her beloved horse Burgundy. During her youth, she worked tireless hours in the family business, Kovarick's, a recreational resort and summer camp for adults and children. She was a waitress, gardener and entertainer. She attended Juniata College and ultimately received her undergraduate degree and subsequent nursing degree from East Stroudsburg University. Paula moved to Washington, DC and worked at the George Washington University Hospital. During this time she started a private duty nursing agency and for a time worked as a bartender at Pierce Street Annex . Paula moved to New York City in 1986 and began working with world renowned Plastic Surgeons at Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary and New York University Hospital. She so impressed her patients that several had become lifelong friends. During this time she continued horseback riding in Central Park and learned to love sailing out of Long Island Sound. While working at New York University, she met Keith A. Segalman, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon. Paula and Keith were married July 22, 1990 at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown, New York. Later they moved to Baltimore, Maryland where they remain. In Baltimore, Paula took up fund raising. She worked for the Bryn Mawr School and Union Memorial Hospital. She worked tirelessly for Union Memorial Hospital and co-chaired the annual spring extravaganza, The Rites of Spring, in April 2000. She continued her passion for gardening, earning accolades from the Lake Roland Garden Club and the Roland Park community. She took up tennis and became an accomplished player and won the Baltimore Country Club doubles championship in 2007. However, Paula's greatest passion was her children. Olivia Rose Segalman was born in NYC in 1992 and Lily Anna Segalman in Baltimore in 1995. She worked tirelessly for her daughters, catering to their needs. Despite life threatening illnesses to both girls she never lost her way, creating a loving and beautiful home in Roland Park. She was a lifelong dog lover, having as many as 6 as a child. Later in life, a rescue came to give her comfort but it was her Doberman, Louie, which defined her youth. In 2008 came the horrible news that she had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Despite this she continued to play competitive tennis for several years and care for the family. Her husband writes "When Paula couldn't walk she used my arm, when she couldn't walk without a walker she still drove her car, and when she could barely walk she refused to use a chair. Only when it was impossible to walk did she use a wheel chair, and when she couldn't drive the chair with her hand, she used her head to drive. Strength, Determination and Bravery described her inspiring fight. " Services will be held at Baltimore Country Club Five Farms on Monday May 11 at 6pm. Reception to follow. The family will be accepting visitors at their home on Tuesday May 12th through Thursday May 14th. In lieu of flowers please send donations to The Muscular Dystrophy Association at www.mda.org