1940
Paula
2013
Paula Oldfather
August 3, 1940 — December 26, 2013
Paula M. Oldfather, born on August 3, 1940 in Rosenberg, TX, daughter of Pansy Blossom (Carpenter) Oldfather and Theron Andrew Oldfather, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2013 in the company of her family.
Paula is survived by her children William D. Jones (Catherine) and Edward A. Wall (William), her grandchildren William M. Wall, III and Aaron T. Wall (Adriana), and her brother Christopher Otis Shivers.
Paula was raised by her grandmother, Mary Myrtle (Bahl) Metzger) in the small Texas town of Glidden. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1957 at the age of 16, where she was a member of the State Champion Marching Band and loved music her entire life. After graduation, Paula moved to California to live with her aunt and uncle and took a position at a nursing home for 2-1/2 years, then worked as a proof operator at a bank for one year. This was followed by a position for STL and USC as an analyst. Both of these positions lasted a year each.
In 1963, Paula found her life's work, computers, when she joined Rand, when she was a college junior. Computers were her first love. She graduated from UCLA in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts, achieving Honors in Math. She then moved to Philadelphia in 1967 to work for Auerbach.
In 1969, Paula joined CARA as Manager of Programming. She continued her association with CARA for many years both as an employee and as a consultant until 1982. She was named in the Who's Who of American Women in 1983-1984.
In 1982, Paula started Belmont and Oldfather with her partner Dorothy Belmont, whom she met in 1967. They moved in together until Dorothy's passing in 1988. She ran the company until she retired in 2006.
After retirement Paula owned and operated the Bridge Club of Delaware County until she sold the club in 2013. She was a life master and enjoyed the challenge of cards. She also enjoyed playing Poker and won many tournaments. Paula met Marge Heald in 1987 as a bridge partner. Marge and Paula moved in together in 1989. They lived together until Marge's passing in 2006.
These are Paula's statistics, but her life was much more than her statistics.
Paula was a woman of great courage and strength who was ahead of her time. She had a wonder sense of humor and a joke for all occasions.
Acceptance for Paula was hard to find. She was extremely intelligent and detail oriented, with an incredible head for numbers. She grew up in a small Texan town in a time when strong independent women were not encouraged. She moved to California where she found a more progressive attitude toward women. Her hard work ethic and incredible intellect served her well in the business world. Belmont and Oldfather was a successful and profitable endeavor until her retirement and closing of the company. Paula was a supportive and loving mother, dedicated grandmother and loving spouse.
The world is a much better place for having her in it. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Paula is survived by her children William D. Jones (Catherine) and Edward A. Wall (William), her grandchildren William M. Wall, III and Aaron T. Wall (Adriana), and her brother Christopher Otis Shivers.
Paula was raised by her grandmother, Mary Myrtle (Bahl) Metzger) in the small Texas town of Glidden. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1957 at the age of 16, where she was a member of the State Champion Marching Band and loved music her entire life. After graduation, Paula moved to California to live with her aunt and uncle and took a position at a nursing home for 2-1/2 years, then worked as a proof operator at a bank for one year. This was followed by a position for STL and USC as an analyst. Both of these positions lasted a year each.
In 1963, Paula found her life's work, computers, when she joined Rand, when she was a college junior. Computers were her first love. She graduated from UCLA in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts, achieving Honors in Math. She then moved to Philadelphia in 1967 to work for Auerbach.
In 1969, Paula joined CARA as Manager of Programming. She continued her association with CARA for many years both as an employee and as a consultant until 1982. She was named in the Who's Who of American Women in 1983-1984.
In 1982, Paula started Belmont and Oldfather with her partner Dorothy Belmont, whom she met in 1967. They moved in together until Dorothy's passing in 1988. She ran the company until she retired in 2006.
After retirement Paula owned and operated the Bridge Club of Delaware County until she sold the club in 2013. She was a life master and enjoyed the challenge of cards. She also enjoyed playing Poker and won many tournaments. Paula met Marge Heald in 1987 as a bridge partner. Marge and Paula moved in together in 1989. They lived together until Marge's passing in 2006.
These are Paula's statistics, but her life was much more than her statistics.
Paula was a woman of great courage and strength who was ahead of her time. She had a wonder sense of humor and a joke for all occasions.
Acceptance for Paula was hard to find. She was extremely intelligent and detail oriented, with an incredible head for numbers. She grew up in a small Texan town in a time when strong independent women were not encouraged. She moved to California where she found a more progressive attitude toward women. Her hard work ethic and incredible intellect served her well in the business world. Belmont and Oldfather was a successful and profitable endeavor until her retirement and closing of the company. Paula was a supportive and loving mother, dedicated grandmother and loving spouse.
The world is a much better place for having her in it. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
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