Paula Ann Leiner

ALGONQUIN – Paula Ann Leiner, 56, of Algonquin, succumbed to pancreatic cancer early Tuesday, June 15, 2010, with her sister at her side, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois in Woodstock.
She was born May 11, 1954, in Rockford, to Ruth M. and Emil A. Falkenberg Jr. She married George Leiner on June 4, 1976, in Galesburg, and was divorced Oct. 15, 1999.  
She graduated from West High School in Rockford in 1972. She graduated cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Knox College in Galesburg in 1977. She was an Albert Young Art Competition prizewinner in 1977.
She received her Master of Library Science degree from the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 1991.
She worked as a circulation desk assistant at Black Hawk College Library, Moline, from 1988-89; as a reference librarian, Adams Memorial Library, Latrobe, Pa., from 1992-93; as the head librarian, Caldwell Memorial Library, Derry, Pa., from 1993-97; as an adult services librarian, Ida Public Library, Belvidere, from 1997-99; and as an adult reference librarian, Algonquin Area Public Library, Algonquin, from 2000-10.  
She lived in Rockford, Galesburg, West Lafayette, Ind., Indianapolis, Moline, Greensburg, Pa., Lake in the Hills and Algonquin.
She enjoyed books, festivals, fairs, concerts, road trips, dressing up, movies, great food, good friends, frequent laughter, spending time with her mother and sister, holiday decorating and craft brewed beer. She loved her job as an adult reference librarian at the Algonquin Area Public Library, where she managed the adult fiction collection, met several close friends, and was surrounded by supportive colleagues and patrons. Her last message to friends and family was, "Be strong! No fear!"
She is survived by her mother, Ruth Falkenberg of Rockford; her sister, Pamela Falkenberg of Rockford; her aunts and uncles, Bob and Joanne Columbia of Rockford, Jim Gilson of Burgettstown, Pa., Bill and Marlene Columbia of Sun City Center, Fla., and Nila and Wayne Scott of Burgettstown, Pa.; her cousins, Tim and Cynthia Gilson of Oakdale, Pa., Sherrie Gilson of Burgettstown, Greg and Pam Columbia of Rochester, N.H., Kim and Greg Oglietti of Troutman, N.C., and Keith and Cathy Scott of Marengo; and her second cousins, Ryan Smith, Noah Oglietti, Ryan Oglietti, Zachary Zollers, Tyler Scott and Hannah Scott.
She was preceded in death by her father, Emil, in 1973; her grandparents, Linda and Jeilden Columbia and Norma and Emil A. Falkenberg Sr.; her aunt, Linda Gilson; and her cousin, Bobby Columbia.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial Mass celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 10, at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church, 236 Route 45, Indian Creek. The Rev. Joseph Curtis will officiate. For information, call the church at 847-362-1005.
She loved attending the Oktoberfest celebration in Milwaukee, where all who knew her are welcome to hoist a glass in celebration of her life in September 2010. For details, contact PLeinerOktoberfest@gmail.com.  
In keeping with her wish, her ashes will be scattered in her sister's garden.
Donations can be made to the Paula Leiner fiction collection, which will be established in her name by the Algonquin Area Public Library, 2600 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102. For information, call 847-458-6060.