Paula K. Benjamin, 83, formerly of Altoona, Pennsylvania passed away Thursday, December 20th in St. Petersburg, Florida of natural causes. Mrs. Benjamin, formerly Paula Loraine Kairys, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 30, 1928, daughter of Harry and Elsie Kairys. She married David J. Benjamin, of Scranton, PA on May 2, 1954. She is survived by three children: Sally K. Benjamin and fiancAC.e Reginald P. LeBlanc of St. Petersburg. Florida, Harry K. Benjamin and wife Patricia A. of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and Thomas N. Benjamin of Newport Beach, California; her grandchildren are Elizabeth A. Benjamin and husband Adam M. Lardieri, Nicholas R. Benjamin and fiancAC.e Heather J. Laird, Jennifer L. Benjamin and Emily C. Benjamin; her great-grandchildren are Lila G. Benjamin, Isabella L. Benjamin, and Ava M. Lardieri. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Charlotte B. Morris of Altoona and Roselle B. Fine of Clarks Summit, PA. Mrs. Benjamin graduated from The Park School in Baltimore, MD and later went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Smith College in 1950. During her time at Smith College, Mrs. Benjamin spent a year abroad in Switzerland and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. She later worked as a researcher for Randolph Paul a preeminent author on federal income tax withholding in Washington, D.C. before marrying and relocating to Altoona, PA. Mrs. Benjamin was a co-founder of Penn Mont Academy, the first Montessori school licensed in Pennsylvania and the third in the nation. She was a past President of Hadassah, a member of the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood, and a great patron of the Altoona Public Library. She enjoyed golf, skiing, swimming, horseback riding and volunteering in education-related activities. She won the Blairmont Country Club women's golf championship multiple times. After moving to Florida in 1995 she was an active member of ASPEC (Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College). Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 26th at Temple Beth Israel in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Friends and family will be received at 12 PM and a memorial service will follow at 1:30 P M. In remembrance of Paula K. Benjamin, those who wish may make a donation to ASPEC, or the Tampa JCC & Federation. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information