Paula Kress Bishop

Lexington, Kentucky Paula Rene Kress Bishop has moved on from this world, and to a higher calling. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, and longed for by those who loved her. Her legacy is one of service to others, inspiration to so many, and unconditional love unto those closest to her. She leaves us now, only to watch over us as the guardian angel she will forever be. Paula was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on August 2, 1949, to Paul Edwin Kress (deceased) and Ora Lee Smock Kress (deceased). She lived there until the family moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1960. Paula was the middle child of seven - Lana Dieterich, Valerie Parrish, Connie Kress, Roderic Kress, Jennifer Kress, and Stacey Kress. She graduated from Lexington Catholic High School in 1967. Her siblings will tell you Paula was the quiet one of the bunch, who would hole up in a closet and pray for the others. She didn't have some of the same wild tendencies as her brother and sisters. But Paula was thrilled to swap out her horn-rimmed glasses for contact lenses, as soon as such a thing became available in her adolescence. She had to save up a great deal of babysitting money, but Paula did it and her pretty blue eyes were then on full display. Upon adulthood, Paula moved back to Pennsylvania, in order to pursue her dream of ballet dancing. She was taught by renowned instructor, Arita Lee, whose students have gone on to dance around the world. In this period of her life, Paula also met the man who would father her two sons, George Preston Bishop II (deceased), and married him on June 1, 1971. Together, Paula and George traveled across the country while he worked as a circus promoter. This continued until the Spring of 1974, when Paula gave birth to her first son, George Preston Bishop III, on March 29. The couple had decided to settle near Lexington, in order to be closer to Paula's parents. Hardly a year later, Paul Edwin Bishop was born on July 11, 1975. Paula was the ideal mother, who read her boys to sleep most every night. She had a profoundly calming quality that came through in her voice and embrace. Some of the first words uttered by Paul were, "Ho-doo, Mama, Ho-doo." Translated, he was saying "Hold you, Mama, hold you." He wanted to hold his mother, and/or be held by her. Young Preston wanted to be close to his mother too, and would often just sleep next to Paula. Two unapologetic mama's boys were a byproduct of, and testament to, Paula's compassion for her sons. She was meant to nurture, and nurture Paul and Preston she did, to the utmost of her ability. As her boys became school age, and suddenly a single parent, Paula embarked on a career in nursing. She began as a nursing assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington. By the time she graduated Midway College of Nursing in 1988, Paula was working at the UK Chandler Medical Center. There she served in the MICU, outpatient recovery, and in the heart lung wing of the hospital over the course of several years. Nursing also took her to stints at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, Nurses Registry home health care, and her most rewarding position as a registered nurse - Hospice of the Bluegrass. At Hospice, Paula was a close companion for those leaving this world, as well as for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Her kind and gentle approach endeared Paula to so many patients and their families. Paula's care and compassion as a hospice nurse marked the pinnacle of her nursing career. When Paula wasn't nursing, she was taking care of her own family. She was steadfast to her Aunt "Ginny" (Virginia), up until her passing. Similarly, Paula took care of her own parents in the months before they departed. More recently, Paula accompanied sister Jennifer to her doctor's appointments. Caring for others wasn't a career choice for Paula - it was the fiber of her soul. Her passion for dance continued throughout her life, as she taught line dancing to Donovan Scholars at the University of Kentucky. This endeared her to so many new friends, who could attest to her enthusiasm and sincere desire to keep seniors active and healthy. Paula was a natural teacher, someone who made learning to dance fun and worthwhile. In 2007, Paula sensed a calling to no longer treat the infirmed, and to move on to preventative healing instead. She enrolled in massage school, and was soon a full-time licensed massage therapist. This new career allowed Paula to create her own schedule, while continuing to help others. And many of her clients were simply amazed by her physical strength and ability to heal chronic injuries. She also learned Quantum Healing, which uses energy to help those hurting. The combination of several massage techniques, and the ability to use energy to heal, made Paula very sought after as a massage therapist. And helping others be well made Paula happiest. When she wasn't working, Paula enjoyed being with her extended family. Holidays, birthdays, and family get-togethers were made all the more special by her presence. Paula gave inspirational quote-of-the-day calendars at Christmas. Her birthday cards were the sweet, sincere ones. And she tended to sign them with "Love!!!" - perhaps with even a few more exclamation points. In recent years, Paula's family celebrated Christmas in the home of brother Rod and sister-in-law "Jet" (Georgia). Paula would annually bring a carload of food and presents to be shared by all. Summers were often highlighted by family picnics in the backyard of sister Valerie and brother-in-law Steve. There, Paula enjoyed the company of her family, while playing badminton and ping-pong. Paula enjoyed long, brisk walks with others. She and her mother, Ora, walked together through the neighborhood, greeting people and engaging them in conversation as they went. Paula did similar with her sister, Stacey, such that they became known up and down the street by many neighbors. Paula had a noticeable bounce in her step as she walked, an unmistakable springiness that made her seem to float above the earth. If and when Paula couldn't be there for someone in person, she would offer her love and support via phone. She kept a regular phone date with her sister Lana in Austin, Texas, each and every Sunday, for years. And her closest sister in age, Connie, could always count on Paula to take her call and listen. Paula was such a steady force of encouragement to all of her family and friends, and just a phone call away. Paula was a beautiful brunette with gorgeous blue eyes, on a relatively petite frame. But it was her smile that proved her to be so stunning both inside and out. She beamed for strangers, and sparkled for her loved ones. Paula's radiance made her both physically attractive and a joy to be around. She instilled confidence and ease upon anyone within her presence. And she empathized too, often moved to tears by the stories told by patients, clients, and loved ones. Paula was a lovely human being - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Hardly a week before her untimely passing, Paula treated clients, exercised, and spent time with her adoring grandchildren, Eva and Kai - all in the same day. The enthusiasm Paula had for her grandkids was echoed by them, at her very presence, as they would run to the door, screaming "Grandma, Grandma!" upon her arrival. Yes, Eva and Kai were enthralled with their grandmother. Paula had them wrapped around her finger, and they will miss her so very much. One cannot begin to tell how Paula touched so many lives, how she gave so many people so much hope and strength. She simply was as pure as is humanly possible. It's no wonder as a young girl, Paula had every intention of being a nun. That she instead chose nursing/healing - and motherhood - makes those of us who had the opportunity to know her some of the most fortunate people on Earth. Paula was an angel among us, who will now forever watch over us. This is her highest calling yet, and she will prove more than up to the task. We love you, Mom. And we feel your love even now. Paula is survived by her two sons, five sisters and one brother, two grandchildren, three nieces and four nephews, five aunts and three uncles, two great-nieces and one great-nephew, many cousins, and multitudes of friends. Funeral Information A gathering of family friends will be held 2-5 PM, Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Clark Legacy Center, Brannon Crossing.