Paula Rose McHenry

Paula Rose McHenry's long and courageous struggle with stage 4 cancer ended on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 2:30 a.m. when she died peacefully in her sleep. She spent her final weeks exactly where she wanted to be, in the home in Terre Haute that she had shared with her husband Walter since 2002.
Paula was born on March 17, 1954, to Alan and Amy Watson of Prairie Creek, Indiana. She loved her family and her childhood and gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was in the first graduating class at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, where she was in marching band and orchestra and was elected Senior Prom Queen.
She attended Indiana State University and Indiana University, graduating from the latter in 1976 with a B.S. in elementary education. On June 11, 1976 she married the love of her life, Walter McHenry. Starting with a fellowship year in Bonn, Germany, the two began a long and happy marriage full of travel and adventure, including three years in Maryland, a year in Silicon Valley in California, nine years in Germany, and a year each in South Korea and the United Kingdom. Paula gladly moved to wherever Walter's career took them, and eventually she was able to visit 46 states and over 30 countries around the world.
She learned to speak fluent German and involved herself in each of the states and countries in which they lived. In the late 1970s and '80s she taught middle school science and mathematics and elementary school at schools in Indiana, Maryland, and Germany. Their family expanded with the birth of Rachel in Seoul, South Korea, in 1987 and Daniel in Rosenheim, Germany, in 1990.
As much as she loved living overseas, Paula was overjoyed when the family moved back to her beloved Vigo County in 1994. They continued to travel to Europe and all over the United States, but her emphasis was on taking care of her family. She hosted sixteen international students during 2003-2013 and cared for her in-laws during their final days in 2013-2015; her father until his death in 2020; her brother until his death in 2021; and her mother, who survives. In fact, Paula would most like to be remembered as a child of God and follower of Jesus who devoted her entire adult life to caring for others.
She was preceded in death by her father, (Frank) Alan Watson, and her brother, Dan Alan Watson. She is survived by her loving husband Walter McHenry; her children Rachel Brynsvold (and Eric) of Texas, with Chloe and Evie; her son Daniel McHenry of Michigan, and her mother Amy Watson.
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 2, at 2:00 at First Prairie Creek Baptist Church in Prairie Creek, Indiana, with visitation at the church from 12:00 to 2:00. She will be buried in West Lawn Cemetery west of Prairie Creek. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Paula's sweet smile and gentle spirit will be missed by everyone who knew her.
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