Paula Rose Zarr died peacefully in her home on Feb. 15 at the age of 101.
She was born in Kansas City to Pauline and Jake Cohn on July 11, 1923.
“Little Rosie” was raised in a loving home with her brothers, Cyrl and Max. She attended Paseo High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and won an academic scholarship to Lindenwood College.
She met her future husband, Ralph, at Congregation Beth Shalom when they were both in their teens. They married in 1944 and were each other’s best friend for 68 years. Their house was always filled with love, laughter and chocolate.
Paula was active in her community, supporting her children’s activities at Hale Cook Elementary School’s PTA and Cub Scouts. The Sisterhood of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s Gaslight Antiques Show, Menorah Medical Center Surgical Representatives and Brandeis Women’s Book Sale were other places she donated her time. She did needlepoint and she smocked beautifully. When good friends and family had grandchildren, she often made dresses and bonnets for them which became prized possessions. She was an ardent gardener. She loved planning and planting her gardens. When they came into bloom, they brought her much joy. She played golf and tennis into her 90s.
Oakwood Country Club, which she and Ralph joined in 1949, was the center of their social life due in great part to their association with their dear Bogey Bums, couples who celebrated everything together — birthdays, anniversaries, children’s weddings and any other excuse they could find. Paula also looked forward to spending time with the Tennis Girls, the Book Babes, the Hawthorn Hotties and her mahjongg group.
Paula was a gracious hostess and enjoyed having friends and family around her dinner table, which was always set with linen cloths and napkins and silver flatware. Even Halloween treats were often served on a silver tray.
Her ladylike demeanor belied her enormous inner strength. She was the “caretaker” in her extended family. She was the first to come to the aid of an ill relative or friend and would often reorganize her life to make herself available to meet their needs.
To quote a dear friend of hers, “if everyone who loved Paula were to gather, it would take a stadium to hold them all.”
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Judy Kahn (Bud), John Zarr (Joey) and Jim Zarr (Ann); her grandchildren, Audrey Zarr (Ryan), Amanda Zarr, Emily Henschel (Rich), Erin Zarr and Elyse Newth (Conner); and seven great grandchildren. She had a warm place in her heart for nieces Ellen Merrill and Jackie Combs and cousins Janet Leeds and Karen Leeds. Special thanks to her caregivers, especially Mandy Malm, for their dedication and loving care.
The family held a private burial. Celebration of life for Paula will be held in the spring, her favorite season. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.
