Paula K. Leitch

Paula Katherine Leitch passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, at the age of 70, in Rhinebeck, New York.
She is survived by her two children, son Eric Houskeeper, married to Shannon (DeWitt) Houskeeper, and daughter Michaela (Leitch) Tomlinson, married to Lukas Tomlinson. She is also survived by her father's second wife, Marcia (Brandt) Leitch, three younger siblings, their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her mother, Sally (Gilbert) Leitch, father, James Leitch, and younger sister, Rebecca Leitch-Hunt.
Paula Leitch was born on March 17, 1954. She was raised at Camp Fairfield in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, where her father served as the camp minister. Growing up, she was surrounded by wildlife and animals, which gave her an appreciation for nature that would carry throughout her life.
In her younger years, Paula and her sisters Helen, Ann, and Rebecca would tape paper manes to their bikes, pretending to ride horses in competition. Paula always won. She loved animals and won many ribbons and trophies in competition. She also engaged anyone willing to help. At thirteen, she had a heifer entered in 4H competition and needed its hooves painted black. Enter her younger brother, Jimmy. On the very first try, Jimmy is kicked in the head and sent cartwheeling across the yard. Paula put a ton of work into showing the animals she loved and spent years showing horses. It was a labor of love for her. She definitely had a special place in her heart for horses, particularly appaloosas.
As kids, Paula and her sisters would set the latest fashion trend, wearing long paper hair and having it blow in the wind while singing their favorite hit song. In their early teens, Paula and her sisters were sent home from school for wearing pants, a violation of the school dress code. They persisted by recruiting friends to also wear pants, and soon the school dress code was changed. Score another victory for Paula and her sisters.
Paula also loved sports and helped create the high school girls' team, competing in volleyball, swimming, and basketball. Her love for sports carried over to recreation, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Penn State University. Her siblings remember the summer she was the Sports Camp Director with a full leg cast driving around in her golf cart. She created great camp experiences for many kids that summer.
Paula was naturally attracted to jobs that involved being active outside, such as camp director, lifeguard, swim instructor, and landscaping.
In her early thirties, she met Peter Houskeeper, with whom she was briefly married. Out of this marriage, her son Eric was born. Several years later, she had her daughter Michaela. Her children became her everything.
As a mother, she always made sure the house was filled with laughter, playfulness, and creativity. Whether that was through impromptu family wrestling matches, movie night, arts and crafts, or planning the next family adventure. The trio's escapades included short hikes, long hikes (or very long hikes, depending on the "shortcut"), swimming at the county pool, camping at Assateague, taking in wildlife, and regular trips to Day Spring to spend time with grandparents.
Her most recent years were spent in Rhinebeck, NY, at a facility specific to her care and needs. She was regularly visited by her loving children, family, and friends.
Paula's wild and free spirit will continue to live on in all our hearts.
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