Paula Tobin

     Paula Kay (Lampe) Tobin was born on October 21, 1968 to Ralph and Pat Lampe in Auburn, Nebraska.

    Paula began her faith journey when she was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. It was here that she attended Sunday school, was confirmed, taught Vacation Bible School, and participated in Luther League. She remained strong in her faith throughout her life and was in the process of reading the Bible in its entirety for the 13th time.

   While attending Auburn Public Schools, Paula was in flag corps, FHA, pep club, Math-Science club, and band, beginning with the flute and switching to the tuba in high school. During those years, she worked at the Wheeler Inn, Arbor Manor, and the Good Samaritan Home. Paula graduated from Auburn High School in 1987 and left Auburn, having made many lifelong friendships in her hometown.

    Because Paula so loved children, she pursued a degree in early childhood development at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. While in college, she was part of Delta Zeta sorority and spent two summers as a nanny for a family in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Paula graduated from NWMSU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree.

    After college, she moved to Lincoln, NE and worked at a childcare center for about a year before deciding to relocate to Kansas City. It was at her new job as childcare director at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church that she met the love of her life, Gary Tobin, who brought to the relationship three children: Tyler, Maddison, and Jessica. Paula quickly embraced her new role as a mother, and she and Gary were united in marriage on September 10, 1994. To this union were born Maggie Jean and Gary Joseph.

    Paula found great contentment in being a mom to these five children and being there for their activities and their highs and lows. She was absolutely selfless in her parenting and sewed every Halloween costume, made the best chocolate chip cookies, hosted countless slumber parties, sent along amazing care packages on the kids’ trips, and helped them grow into wonderful human beings. Over the years, she also provided in-home daycare, prepared meals for a catering business, and worked at her church as a youth director.

   In recent years, Paula reveled in being a grandmother. A girly-girl herself, Paula was blessed with four granddaughters and was always so excited for their visits so that she had a reason to play Barbies. These grandchildren were truly her pride and joy.

   Some of the things Paula enjoyed most were: knitting and crocheting; the color purple; music by Barry Manilow and the Eagles; the movie Grease; helping others; calling people to sing “Happy Birthday;” having long fingernails; writing in shorthand; being with her favorite people; dolls and Barbies; the Friends TV show; visiting her childhood home in rural Auburn; going for rides in her dad’s Volkswagen Bug; and, in her special ways, reminding her family that they were loved.

   During her last days, she was surrounded by the family she so cherished. Paula passed away on February 28, 2023 at the age of 54 years, 4 months, and 7 days.

  There to greet Paula in heaven are her grandparents; her father, Ralph; and her mother-in-law, Jean.

  Paula is survived by her husband, Gary; their children: Tyler Tobin, Maddison (Caleb) Berciunas; Jessica Squires; Maggie (Max) Addante; and Gary Tobin, Jr.; grandchildren: Mia, Kennedy, Flora, and Ada; mother, Pat Lampe; sister, Marcy (Tony) Glenn; special cousin, who was like a sister, Julie (Vince) Anderson; her beloved cat, George; many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

  A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 1st at 2:00 p.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church at 9500 Wornall Rd. in Kansas City, MO 64114. Paula will rest aside her maternal grandparents and her father at Johnson Cemetery in Johnson, NE.

  Memorials will go to the family for future designation.