Paula Jean Alderson

1943 - 2021

Paula Jean Alderson (née Koszuth) died peacefully with her loving children by her side at her home in Monterey, California on September 18, 2021.

"Peej," as she was known by the many who loved her, was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin on January 14, 1943 to Anton and Genevieve Koszuth, for whom she lovingly cared through the end of their lives. Paula was one of four children, growing up on a farm in Greenfield. She attended Saint Mary's Academy, a Catholic high school, and later trained as a Franciscan nun at Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in Milwaukee. After leaving the convent, she earned a BSN degree from Marquette University and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Toledo.

Paula was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to service, beginning as a registered psychiatric nurse and then holding academic positions at several universities and affiliated teaching hospitals. She went on to hold multiple executive positions in corporate healthcare companies, including Aetna, where she advanced to become the President of their HMO in New York and New Jersey.

Paula's career culminated in her role as CEO of Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, Florida. While running the non-profit organization for 11 years, she expanded hospice care, home health agency services, palliative care, bereavement counseling and an award-winning complementary therapies program throughout South Florida's Broward and Palm Beach counties. A tireless advocate for the dignity, peace and comfort for those in the final stages of life, she was revered and loved by her colleagues, staff and the patients and families in her care. Paula was a frequent public speaker and recipient of several local and national leadership awards.

Family was always first to Paula. In 1967 she married David Alderson, her husband of 33 years. They made a home in Toledo, Ohio and later Simsbury, Connecticut, where they raised their two children, David Jr. and Rebecca. A devoted mother who balanced the challenges of career and home life, Paula was always involved in the community. She was an active member of St. Mary's Parish, supported the Simsbury school district, and, on weekends, could be found along the riverbanks of New England cheering on her children and their teammates on the Simsbury Crew rowing team.

Paula moved to Monterey in 2016 to be close to Rebecca, David Jr. and his wife Lisa, and her beloved grandsons Owen and Wyatt. She served on Monterey County's Civil Grand Jury and was a Pasadera Country Club board member. Paula loved to travel and recently took her family on a two-week vacation to Italy. But there was nothing she loved more than playing board games with her family and cheering on her grandsons as they played team sports.

Paula showed her love through cooking for her family and friends. Her cinnamon pancake roll-ups, English toffee, and old-fashioned fish frys are cherished family traditions. She will always be remembered for her open arms, inner strength, commitment to excellence and unwavering support for her family.

Paula will be missed by her extended family, including her sister Jeannette Kossuth, brother Benedict ("Ben") Koszuth, many sisters- and brothers- in law and nieces and nephews. Paula was preceded in death by her older brother Anthony and her parents Anton and Genevieve Koszuth.

In lieu of flowers, donations In Memory of Paula Alderson may be made to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486.