Paula Carol Kahla

Paula Carol Kahla, born January 13, 1951, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025.

Paula will be remembered for her infectious laughter, vibrant spirit, and, above all, her ability to bring people together. Whether hosting joyous celebrations, volunteering for leadership roles, or creating small businesses that became beloved community hubs, Paula's influence was felt by all who knew her. Her deep love for family, friends, and the community she called home defined her life and legacy.

Born in Washington, DC, Paula was the eldest daughter of Lillian and Isadore Kessler. She grew up in Rockville's Randolph Hills neighborhood alongside two sisters, Eileen and Donna. A proud graduate of Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Paula went on to earn a degree in French Education from the University of Maryland.

It was on campus in College Park that she met Peter Kahla. They married after graduation and settled in Olney, where they raised two children, Natalie and Andrew. Paula was a devoted and loving mother, deeply involved in her children's lives and always eager to volunteer, including as President of the PTA at Cashell Elementary.

Her home in Olney was a place where friends and neighbors often gathered for lively poker games, traditional crab feasts, and spontaneous get-togethers. The soundtrack of these events and other memorable moments in Paula's life often featured the rock'n'roll music she adored-and especially her favorite band, the Rolling Stones. She enjoyed life long passions in gardening, live music and dining out with so many dear friends. Later in life, she loved spending time with her young grandsons, Lincoln and Sam.

Paula was a passionate entrepreneur, driven by her creativity, fashion sense, and vision for building community in Olney. She began as a seamstress, offering custom dressmaking and alterations from her home while raising her young children. Her first storefront was Paula's Design, which later evolved into multiple locations of Paula's Boutique, a fashion destination that served a loyal clientele for two decades. After retiring from retail, Paula continued to follow her passions-obtaining her real estate license and providing bespoke consulting to other small businesses.

Paula attributed her success in business to a candid and honest approach, deep relationships with her customers, and investing back into the community, through sponsorships, fundraising, and service. Her leadership was recognized by countless honors, most notably the 2011 Athena Award presented by the Olney Chamber of Commerce, for which she also served in many capacities, including as President.

Despite the challenges of Alzheimer's disease she faced in her final years, Paula never lost her warm and loving spirit. Her legacy of connection, joy, and love for her community will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing Paula.

Paula is survived by her daughter, Natalie (Jeff Lewandowski) and two beloved grandsons, Lincoln and Sam, all of Ellicott City, MD. She is also survived by: her sisters, Eileen and Donna Kessler; nephews Matthew Keister, Ben Levin, and Nathan Kahla; and nieces Julia Keister, Abby Levin, and Valerie Kahla. She was pre-deceased by Peter Kahla and their son, Andrew.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Necitas Assisted Living and Second Home Senior Living, who provided Paula with comfort and dignity in her final years.

A celebration of Paula's life will be held in Olney, MD on Sunday November 9th. For details and to RSVP, please email paulacelebrationoflife@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Paula's memory be made to The Alzheimer's Association.