Paula Rider Boblitz

Paula Rider Boblitz, age 69, of Charlottesville, Virginia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven on April 13, 2017. Paula was born in Etlan, Virginia on July 15, 1947 to Thomas Shelton Rider and Margrette Frances Rider. Her lifelong commitment to nursing began in the Stuart Circle Nursing Program in Richmond, Virginia where she earned her RN diploma. While she was a student, she threw a snowball at a young man, Michael H. Boblitz, and found a partner for life when they married in 1968. Together, they moved to Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and eventually in 1977, to Charlottesville, Virginia. There, they raised a son, Michael Crile Boblitz, while she dedicated 30 years of service caring for the patients and families of Radiation Oncology at the University of Virginia. She made a difference every day in the lives of her patients through her actions and words, and taught the doctors a few things along the way, before retiring in 2007. Paula was warm and generous. She loved her many friends as family, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She is survived by her husband, Michael; her son, Michael, and his wife, Amie; and grandchildren, Carter and Aiden Boblitz, of Hoschton, Georgia; nieces, Donna Christensen and her husband Chris of Chester, Virginia, and Emily Boblitz of Ventura, California; nephew, Stephen “Craig” Kent of Mechanicsville, Virginia; great nephews, Cameron Kent of Mechanicsville, and Adam Drumheller of Chester; and a lifetime of good friends just too many to acknowledge. Her parents and her sister, Arlene Rider Kent, preceded Paula in death. Paula enjoyed retirement, and especially adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed their visits, and was always ready for a road trip to Georgia. Christmas was always a favorite holiday, and became even more special with the addition of Carter and Aiden. She spent her free time visiting with friends, and caring for others. Often she would pick up friends who no longer drove to have lunch or run errands; she was someone who was always there for you, and touched many lives in special ways. She loved to experience new things, and made good friends through her activities. One of her favorite pastimes was collegiate sports. She was a long-time supporter of Virginia Athletics, and also became a JMU Duke Club member after her son and husband graduated from James Madison University. She always cheered loudly and often in support of her teams. Paula was a 10-year breast cancer survivor, but when a new cancer appeared, the battle could not be won. As word spread to friends and family, she had the good fortune to discover how much she meant to others as friends called, visited, laughed, and shared memories. To celebrate her life, a memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at Teague Funeral Home at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. A private burial service will be held at the Etlan Cemetery in Madison County. The family wishes to thank Dr. Leslie Blackhall of the UVA Cancer Center and Dr. Kaitlyn Beisecker-Levin from Family Medicine of Albemarle for their assistance with Paula’s care. Finally, the family wishes to express their gratitude to Paula’s team from Home Instead Senior Care and to her Hospice of the Piedmont team along with Jackie and Garland Nuchols, Beth and Rick Mutzabaugh, Gretchen Kelly, and Denise Mathew for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UVA Cancer Center, P.O. Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908 or the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.