Paula Grimberg Plofchan

Paula Grimberg Plofchan passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on January 25, 1939, in Camden, New Jersey, and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Agnes College in Baltimore, where she met her future husband, Thomas K. Plofchan Sr. They married and settled in Detroit, Michigan, where they raised seven children. Paula later received a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Detroit and built a distinguished career in counseling and education with Ferndale City Schools and the City of Detroit. In 1986, the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she began a new chapter in publishing with The Psychological Corporation and served as a consultant to the State of California until her retirement following Tom’s death in 2001. She later settled in White Plains, New York, to be near her children and grandchildren, and eventually moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to live with her youngest daughter’s family.

An intelligent, compassionate, and loving woman with a lively sense of humor, Paula was deeply committed to educational literacy and diversity. She served on numerous boards for the University of the Incarnate Word, the City of San Antonio, and Crayons to Computers, and was honored by the Women’s Global Connection for her work promoting learning and leadership opportunities for women both locally and around the world. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her signature stylish hats, her love of music, and the great joy she found in traveling, especially with her children and grandchildren. A devout Catholic, Paula carried herself with style, curiosity, dignity, and grace, and was affectionately known for remaining “forever 21” at heart.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Thomas K. Plofchan Sr., her parents Bill and Rosalie Grimberg, and her siblings Alice Hall, Rosemary Esquivel, Bill Grimberg, and John Grimberg. Paula is survived by her sister Judith Allen, brother-in-law Charles Hall, and sister-in-law Barbara Fairhurst; her children, Beth Ann Cueter (Jeffrey), Thomas Plofchan Jr. (Kathryn), Margaret Mary Plofchan, Paul Plofchan (Laura), Pete Plofchan (Tami), Dan Plofchan (Steve Jeffries), and Jennifer Tyler (Lance); 19 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Paula and Tom’s shared dedication to education continues through the Thomas K. and Paula G. Plofchan Endowed Scholarship at the University of the Incarnate Word. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.