Paula M. O'Moore

Paula Michele O’Moore passed away January 9, 2024, following a final battle with several health conditions. Paula was born February 24, 1949 in Manhattan. She is survived by her brother, Richard Kerbel.

Paula dedicated her life to education. She received an undergraduate degree from Hunter College and a Master’s degree from St. John’s University. Both degrees supported her career as a New York City Public Schools Guidance Counselor. For over 30 years, she supported elementary and middle school children, teachers, families, and administrators. She held NYC, NYS and National School Counselor Certifications, as well as NYS Mental Health Counselor License. Her work was recognized and awarded by the DOE and the City of New York, in June, 2000. On 9/11 Paula was key in training all school staff in Crisis Intervention in District 30 (Astoria, Jackson Heights and part of Corona).

Paula cared deeply for the people in her life. She was married for over 25 years, and made lasting, deep friendships. While she didn’t have animals of her own, she had a passion for animals and the environment. Paula had a special affinity for the ocean and surfing, with friends noting that this Manhattanite could easily have been a California girl.

Paula had a somewhat serious demeanor, but also had a joyous playfulnesss, perhaps from her many years around children. She both loved and was very knowledgeable about music, both playing guitar and singing. And if you ever visited her office or her home, you knew how much she enjoyed rubber duckies, bunnies, golden retrievers, thoughtful cards, and baby otters.

Above all, she believed in love. Her beautiful spirit, which we will miss dearly, is captured in her favorite sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me prov'd,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation on Paula O’Moore’s behalf to any of the following organizations:
Earthjustice
WFUV Radio Station of Fordham University, to be used to support CEOL na nGael and/or other Irish Programming.
Greenpeace
World Wildlife Fund
NARAL Pro Choice América