Paula Cowgill Gmelch Obituary

Paula Cowgill Gmelch attended Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Paula Cowgill Gmelch.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Passing	Mar 01, 2007
About	Paula Gmelch Educator and lifelong community service professional, died Thursday after being struck by a car while walking on a sidewalk near the University of San Francisco. She was 59. Born in Shelley, Idaho, Paula attended Hillsdale High School in San Mateo and earned her undergraduate degree at UC Davis and a graduate degree at Washington State University. She led an exemplary life of service to students, campus and community organizations, ranging from directing the Washington State Games and Iowa State University's Strengthening Families Program, to creating the International Women's Network to support new members of her community from afar. Those who had the privilege of knowing Paula found her modest, incredibly kind, gracious and elegant. Paula lifted the spirits of everyone she knew with her infectious smile and boundless enthusiasm. She was an inspiration and role model to students who she accompanied on terms abroad. After 24 years living away from the Bay area, in Washington, Iowa and abroad, she returned to be closer to her family in her beloved San Francisco in 2004 when her husband Walt Gmelch became dean of the School of Education at USF. Paula is survived by her parents, Tom and Lynn Cowgill of San Andreas; husband, Walt; son, Ben and daughter-in-law, Destiny of Seattle; son, Tom of Richmond, VA; brother, Dick Cowgill of Mokelumne Hill; and sister, Janet Baechler of San Andreas, and their loving families. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 9 at 2 pm at the St. Ignatius Church at USF. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paula Gmelch Scholarship Fund at USF, in care of the College of Education, 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, 94117.