Paula Michelle Secondo passed away peacefully at KC Hospice House on April 15, 2026, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She is preceded in death by her father, Jim Secondo and brother, Pete Secondo. She is lovingly survived by her mother, Karol Secondo, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends and colleagues who were adopted family.

Paula was born on June 6, 1966. After graduating from SM North High School, she attended Pittsburg State University. She graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1988.  She then attended Missouri University of Science and Technology at Rolla, culminating with a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry in 1997. It was evident throughout her doctoral studies that teaching was her passion and her future. All throughout high school she could be found tutoring neighboring children in both piano and academic studies. She tutored her nearby elderly neighbor whose goal was to earn his GED before his mother's passing. Paula worked all summer on all the GED materials she could borrow from the library. After creating many practical instructional packets, giving mini lectures, and several practice exams later he was confident enough to take the exam.  He passed with flying colors! To this day it is one of her most proud pre-professional teaching accomplishments.

After graduating with her doctorate Paula joined the chemistry department at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut as an assistant professor. Her teaching centered mainly on general chemistry and inorganic chemistry. She earned a reputation among her students for her rigorously high academic standards and, more significantly, for her genuine concern for their success at WCSU and beyond. Her mentorship of countless research students over the years launched them into careers in medicine, industry and academia. Many former students maintained contact with their chemistry professor. This is a testament to the profound influence she had on their lives.

Paula was awarded full professorship and served as department chair for 8 years, dedicating herself to the betterment of the department as a whole. Paula remained a strong advocate of the chemistry department and its students until her illness expedited her retirement. She was devoted to her students and saying goodbye to them at graduation was always difficult. Each chemistry department graduation ceremony became a sob session for her. Underneath that no-nonsense strictness and occasional expression of disappointment; she loved her students. She had a positive impact on many young lives. Within the WCSU chemistry department, she found and embraced her adopted Connecticut family.

Paula loved dancing and playing the piano, starting lessons in both at a very young age. She was on the PSU dance team and taught dance aerobics two evenings a week for 2 years. While at PSU she also volunteered as a pianist and Eucharistic minister for Mass at the Newman Center on campus.  As soon as she started graduate school in Rolla she found the Newman Club and again offered her time as a pianist, but on a more infrequent basis due to her studies. Two years after moving to Connecticut, she found a dance studio and continued tapping away in an adult class until her illness brought her back to Kansas. Oh, how she loved to tap!

A love to travel began with her first cruise to the Caribbean in the mid 90's. She coordinated a cruise to Alaska for her parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Other family members were also included. She then began traveling abroad. Dipping her toes in slowly she chose England first, spending two glorious weeks seeing London and whatever nearby towns had to offer. Recognizing her love of architecture; her next trip was to Russia with her lifelong traveling companion who was fluent in many languages. There was also a wonderful trip to Norway crossing the Arctic Circle.  She went to Italy twice, once taking a cousin who was celebrating her 70th birthday. The second trip she organized was for her mother and her Aunt Paula. This was the trip of a lifetime. There was much laughter and gelato eating involved.  She also went to France twice. The second time also included two spectacular weeks in Greece.  All she could talk about was the wine, feral cats,turtles and wonderful architecture.

Paula was a warrior with a spirit built on perseverance. Her legacy is one of love and resilience.

She will be deeply missed by many.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:30 AM with the Funeral Mass following at 10:30 AM, Friday, April 24, 2026 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission, KS.  In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to KC Hospice House or Great Plains SPCA.