Paula Massey

Paula Gibson Massey, 51, passed peacefully into Spirit on March 30, 2013, from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Paula was born on December 19, 1961 in Toledo, OH, to Ronald C. Gibson and Sharon Thomley Gibson, who preceded her in death. She was a 1979 graduate of Sylvania Northview High School, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Toledo in 1989, and her Master of Organizational Leadership from Lourdes College in 2008, one year to the day from her initial cancer diagnosis. During her years as a student, Paula lived in California for a five-year period between 1981 - 1986, during which she was married to Jeff Iler of Bishop, CA. Upon returning to the Toledo area, she worked as founding and managing editor for a number of print publications including The Herald newspapers and Toledo Women Today magazine, which she founded with long-time friend and partner, Bonnie C. Hunter. Paulas career path changed to non-profit organization management and leadership in 2006, when she founded the Toledo-Lucas County Furniture Bank, which she felt was the proudest accomplishment of her life. The Furniture Bank provided furniture and household items at no cost to families coming out of homelessness and domestic violence. In a 21/2-year period, the organization helped turn houses into homes for more than 1, 400 local families. Although largely ignored by the local media, the program received recognition from the national Furniture Bank governing bodies and was used as a business model for establishing a similar program in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Paulas greatest loves in life were traveling, writing fiction, her charity work and her family. She and her husband, Stan, who survives her, enjoyed driving all over the U.S. in their motor home with their Australian shepherd, Harrison. Paula served on a number of Boards of Trustees over the years, including Natures Nursery Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation, for which she also was an active volunteer for more than 20 years. In addition to her husband, Stan, Paula is survived by her son, Seth Book of Sylvania, OH; stepdaughter, Tara Andrew Armatas and grandson, Ayden James Armatas of West Palm Beach, FL; stepson, Kyle Casey Massey of Apopka, FL; special friend and partner, Bonnie C. Hunter of Sylvania, OH; sister, Brenda Don Renneker of Catlettsburg, KY; nieces, Annale and Elissa and nephew, Jonathan Renneker; step-father, William D. Dugger of Dayton, OH; and numerous aunts, cousins and stepbrothers and sisters. A memorial service to celebrate Paulas life will be announced soon. A special Buddhist service also will be offered for those wishing to attend. Please check www.paulamasseymemorial.com for details on both services as they become available. Paulas wish for those wanting to memorialize her life was for friends and family to carry out a Pay It Forward event to help a local organization or resident of their choice.