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Paula E. Keiser Topeka, KS QCWA # 34362 |
Paula Elizabeth Keiser, 69, Topeka, passed away May 13, 2013, after a brief illness. She was born July 19, 1943 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the eldest child of William M. Keiser, Sr. and Mary (Magee) Keiser. She graduated from Edison (NJ) High School in 1961. Paula served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1965.
She married Nancy Orton in 1968. They later divorced. Nancy died in 2010. Paula met her current life partner, Mary Haller, in 1996.
Paula worked for broadcast stations in Michigan and New Jersey. She spent 25 years at NJ Public TV in engineering and web design, retiring in January, 2007. In May, 2007, she and Mary moved to Topeka, where Paula designed and maintained websites for various nonprofit organizations.
Paula was transgender and transitioned in 1987. She became active in organizations dealing with issues affecting transgender persons, including TYFA (Trans Youth Family Allies), and was President of K-STEP (Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project). She did K-STEP presentations to educate college students and other Kansans about transgender issues.
Paula enjoyed amateur radio, barbershop music, and old-time radio. Her sense of humor was contagious, and she could give a song or one-liner when people least expected it.
Paula was a member of Lowman United Methodist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees and the Publicity/Technology Team. She maintained Lowman;s website and designed power points for Sunday and Wednesday services. She will be greatly missed by her Lowman family.
Paula is survived by her devoted partner, Mary, their cockers Gidget and Quincy and cat Culprit; son Paul and fiancee Danielle (MI); daughter, Valerie (CA); sister, Jeanne Edmondson (TN); grandchildren Liam and Courtney; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a sister, Marianne Thompson.
Paula was cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 18, at Lowman UMC, 4000 Drury Lane, Topeka, KS. Inurnment will occur later.