Paula Connolly Kemp

JACKSON – Paula Connolly Kemp of Jackson, MS died December 8 with her loving daughter at her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Malcom Kemp, her eldest son, Steven Kemp and her parents, John and Paula Connolly. She is survived by her son Brian Kemp and her daughter-in-law Gail of Mt Pleasant, SC, her daughter Sarah Young and her son-in-law Russell of Jackson, MS and her grandchildren Anderson (Rika), Paul and Gabrielle Kemp and Jack, Beth Ann and Garner Young. She also leaves behind her brother Joe (Cindy) Connolly and sister Alyse (Bill) Sparks along with many adored nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Paula was born on November 9, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. She spent her formative years in Pasadena, CA – in the shadows of the Rose Bowl – in the Linda Vista neighborhood. Hers was a close-knit neighborhood filled with many family friends – long outlasting the moves to other areas, cities and even countries. Her summers were spent at her grandparents' vacation house on Sunset Beach, where her olive-based skin and dark curly hair radiated in the summer sun. In her youth, swimming was her sport where she frequently bested the competition (including her younger brother) with her signature breaststroke. She would tell you water ran through her family with many accomplished swimmers, divers and water polo players – preceding and succeeding her. Her accomplishments were not just water-based, applying her hand-eye coordination to become the 1955 Pasadena City Yo-Yo Champion! Her high school years at Mayfield Senior School saw a continuation of swimming and creating lasting friendships.

After graduating from Mayfield, Paula went on to Cal Poly (San Louis Obispo) and took a degree in Elementary Education. In college, she met the love of her life, Malcom. During his campaign for student body president – which he won, in part by advocating equal social opportunities for women (that didn’t hurt his cause with Paula). They were married July 17, 1965 – less than a month after they both graduated.

Career opportunities took them first to Schenectady, NY where Paula proved you can’t take California out of the girl by going barefoot in the snow. The next move was to Phoenix, AZ where they bought their first house.

Then came Atlanta, GA. The family joined a small community pool and tennis club and Mountainview became the epicenter of their social lives. Friends made there remained friends for life. It was the village that helped them raise their children.

Later in life, and after raising her children, Paula returned to the workforce where she became a successful non-profit executive with National Families In Action, an organization with a mission to help children succeed by empowering parents to create an academic and social environment where children thrive and are protected from substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors. She stayed involved until it’s formal end of operations in 2022. She was proudest of the lives she touched – whether it was helping with a first-generation college student or helping a parent through a child’s addiction, the work intertwined with who she was at her core:…completely unselfish, always doing things for others.

After moving to Jackson, MS in 2006 and retiring from day-to-day employment, Paula ensconced herself in the Jackson philanthropic community. Taking on a cause dear to her, she led efforts for the Mississippi Children’s Museum and was a key link in the December 2010 opening and early expansion. Recognition of her contributions culminated in a Goodwill Salute award in 2014.

This touching of lives extended to her personal time. Whether it was dressing as a scary witch on Halloween, having a Harry Potter book club, or always having treats in her auxiliary refrigerator, she was a favorite to the neighborhood children – even after hers had left home. After her first grandchild was born, she became Bubbles – a name that became her moniker to many from that point forward.

Family was ever important to her. She held long-standing traditions: pajamas on Christmas Eve for her children and grandchildren; swimsuits for Christmas for her great nieces and nephews; unique trips with each grandchild during their 10th year. But one of the most special family traditions was an annual gathering of the PEAS (Paula, Emily [niece], Alyse [sister] and Sarah[daughter]) where two generations of Connolly women could laugh, cry and carry on.

She felt blessed to have the very best medical team. Special thanks to Dr. Gene Loper, Dr. Paul Seago, Dr. Steven Patterson, Melanie Coker, and Alicia Leach. And of course to Dr. Russell Young, her most trusted medical advisor.

A memorial reception will be held at Parkway funeral home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157 on Saturday December 28, 2024 from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in the name of Paula C. Kemp to the Mississippi Children’s Museum, P.O. Box 12870, Jackson, MS 39236.