Paula Susan Hecker

We are sad to announce the passing of Paula Susan Hecker (nee Rosenberg) most recently of Ridgefield, CT. She died at age 80 on July 21, 2023 with her beloved son Andrew by her side. Paula was predeceased by her husband Ray Hecker and parents Eva and Milton Rosenberg. She leaves behind her son Andrew Hecker (Christine) and adored grandson Bradley, brother Stuart Rosenberg (Bonnie), sister Karen Rosenberg (Roy Szubski) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and former students. Funeral plans are pending.
Paula was born July 9, 1943 in Long Branch, New Jersey where she lived until her family moved to Utica, New York in 1951. She graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1961 and went on to major in Education at NY State Teacher's College at Potsdam. After graduation she joined VISTA and worked in social services/community organizing in Cleveland, Ohio. She then moved to New York City where she worked as a caseworker. Paula continued her dream to become a teacher earning a Master's Degree in Education at Bank Street College. She taught in the South Bronx in PS 78 Elementary School as a special education teacher and later as an intervention specialist. She moved to Pleasantville, NY where she and Ray raised Andrew. She retired after a long career as an educator and in 2009 moved to Tucson, AZ with her husband. Following Ray's death, she moved to CT in July 2020 to be closer to her son and family.
Paula enjoyed international travel, gardening, jewelry-making, home decorating and attended every craft show that was near her. She loved her summers in Chautauqua Institute where she met up with family members and took classes, attended lectures and was a member of the Hebrew Congregation.
Friends and family who wish may contribute to the Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua Institute, P. O. Box 555, Chautauqua N.Y. 14722 or online www.hebrewcongregationchautauqua.org