York Schools Employee Remembered for Humor, Work Ethic

By Amber Lester Kennedy Saturday, January 28, 2012

Paula Rader, a longtime employee of York County Schools, died Jan. 24 at home. She was 58.

Rader retired as secretary to the superintendent from York County Schools last year. She began her work in the school system as a secretary at Bruton High, then served one year as secretary at Grafton High. She worked in the same capacity at Tabb High for a decade, from 1997 to 2007. In August of that year, she began working in the School Board Office and in 2009, became secretary to the superintendent and clerk for the board.

"Paula was a special woman! She was kind and had a great sense of humor. She had a tremendous work ethic and showed an incredibly high level of initiative," said Eric Williams, superintendent of York County Schools. "She will be missed as a colleague and friend."

In her spare time, Rader loved quilting, fishing and everything about the water, according to her obituary. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends, shopping and yoga.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Rader; daughters, Stephanie J. Rodriguez and Jacob, Carolyn P. Menker and Anthony, and Lindsay A. MacKnight and Glenn; six grandchildren, Seth, Leanne, Elle, Evan, Christian and Melody; mother, Patricia Anne Dansereau; sisters, Cathy Marple and Chris, and Lesley McKiernan; brother Jon Dansereau and Joanne.

Funeral services, officiated by Rev. Tom Coye, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Hogg Funeral Home in Gloucester Point, with interment to follow in Rosewell Memorial Garden. Donations can be sent to the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 1433 Johnston Willis Drive, Richmond, VA 23235. Donations should be designated “P.I.N.K.K.”