Paula Muehlbauer

Paula Muehlbauer , 61, formerly of Warren passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at her home in Carlsbad, California.

A graduate of Warren G Harding High School, she attended Kent State University School of Nursing where she received her Bachelor's degree, with further study at George Mason University in Virgina for her Masters degree in Nursing.

After beginning her career in Cleveland, Paula became a Traveling Nurse and worked in hospitals in New Mexico, Connecticut, Florida, Colorado and Hawaii. She made her way to Washington, D.C. where she worked for The National Institutes of Health. She was instrumental in the research for the drug Interleukin-2, providing compassionate care for AIDS patients in the earliest decades of the disease.  She eventually managed and established  a  new Oncology Clinic at a hospital in North Carolina. She returned to DC and the NIH, utilizing her expanded skills in the Oncology department.   While in DC, she met the love of her life, her husband Steve, and they eventually moved to San Diego, California. An exceptionally talented nurse, she then became an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University, imparting her wisdom and considerable talents to her young students on bedside nursing.  Additionally, she held a position as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the VA in San Diego, where she retired from in 2020.

Throughout her career she published many articles, wrote or edited chapters of medical journals and other professional publications. As a past President of the Oncology Nursing Society, she was often asked to peer-review many of her colleagues articles, as they recognized her skills and the considerable knowledge she had acquired in the Oncology nursing field.

She touched the lives of so, so many of her patients, and through her teaching,  was able to impart as much of that wisdom and passion to the next generation. Beloved and missed by her students, she imparted on them a great legacy of providing compassionate care.

A dedicated Cleveland Browns fan, her heart remained true to her home state, Ohio. No  matter where her travels would lead her, she would frequently return to Warren, especially to enjoy the fall foliage, some apple cider and a homemade donut! It was her favorite time of the year and a great opportunity to touch base with the friends and family she held so dear. It is here, in Ohio, at All Soul's Cemetery in Bazetta, where she is buried near her beloved parents and sister.

While her dedications to her profession were many, Paula found great joy in long bike rides through Europe and the Southwest with her husband . A voracious reader, a curious soul even in her hobbies, she devoured dozens of novels yearly always accompanied along with her beloved cups and cups of tea!

Paula is survived by her husband, Steve Mathis, who provided outstanding end of life care to Paula, always by her side and attentive to her needs; her brothers Blaine and Mark ( Judy) and dearest niece, Tori.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Gloria Muehlbauer and an infant sister, Gretchen.

Private Burial was at All Souls Cemetery.

Please join us for A Celebration Of Life in Paula’s honor at Peter Rossi Funeral Home , Warren, Ohi,. Saturday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m. with reception to immediately follow at Leo’s Ristorante in Howland from noon-2:00 pm.

If able to attend her service please wear something bright and festive, in honor of her vivacious spirit.

Please make any donations to Brother Benno’s Center, 3260 Production Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058.

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