Remembering Paula Jean Warner | Beloved Middle School Teacher Passes Away

Treasured 30-year teacher at South Pasadena Middle School remembered by students, parents, friends and community members

PHOTO: SouthPasadenan.com News | Paula Jean Warner, a treasured 30-year teacher at South Pasadena Middle School will be long remembered after passing away in August

South Pasadena lost a dear friend recently with the passing of Paula Jean Warner, a treasured 30-year teacher at South Pasadena Middle School.

Students, parents and friends agreed “Miss Warner made every student feel special.”

Warner was born in Hollywood, California. Her mother died when Paula was young and Paula went on to live with her grandmother in Chicago.

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Following the passing of her grandmother, Warner lived with an aunt’s family. She grew up in the Chicago area, graduating from Loyola University, Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago. Upon returning to California, she earned a Master’s Degree in counseling from Point Loma University.

After teaching in several area private schools, she was hired as a science teacher at South Pasadena Middle School, where her students and peers adored her. Warner was extremely shy with adults. Although when working with students, she blossomed into a kind, friendly, and supportive person.

Fellow teachers said she was unsurpassed in her knowledge of science, the arts, computer science, and was helpful in whatever required patience and assistance.

Warner did the job of an administrator each year by completing the master schedule of the middle school, laboriously working her way through late hours at night to find just the correct placement for each student.

Paula’s activities were numerous: she led the Tigerettes, used hand-calligraphy on each graduation certificate, chaperoned field trips, marched with the band in innumerable parades, attended the Pomona Fair each year with the band, and was even a linesman for the SPHS Tiger football games.

To the joy of the students, on any school related dress up day, she would appear in a flamboyant costume. She also assisted with staging many of Marion Tompkins’ memorable plays and musicals.

As an artist, she was unsurpassed. She taught tap and ballet at a San Marino dance studio for many years and belonged to a dance group. Warner was also an effervescent member of Shakespeare Club. She appeared in multiple plays and assisted when necessary with any stage related tasks. She was also a member of a performing dance group.

Warner passed away on August 3, 2019 at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, surrounded by her middle school friends and members of her dance group. These were the people she included as “my family.”

She will be missed by her colleagues, her beloved students and by the supportive parents of South Pasadena Middle School. A dear friend adopted her five adored cats. A celebration of life gathering was held at the Shakespeare Club, 171 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena on Saturday October 5, 2019. Donations may be made to:

The Shakespeare Club, 171 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91105, or the Cancer Support Community, 76 East Del Mar Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91105.