Kathryn C. Paul

Kathryn C. Paul, known as “Kay” to her many friends and colleagues, was born to the late James and Dorothy Morgan Cutler in Elmira, New York, on January 6, 1931, and departed this world on October 24, 2024, in Cincinnati, Ohio. A beloved elementary school teacher and recognized reading specialist, Kay dedicated her career and considerable talents to the education of young minds and was especially devoted to children for whom reading was a challenge.

Kay's love of learning began at the family farm in western New York, where several generations gathered each night at the dinner table and discussed issues of the day. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse built in the 1860s on property once owned by her great-great grandfather Dr. James Cutler. She attended Northside High School in Corning, New York, and earned the honor of valedictorian, class of 1949. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from The State University of New York (SUNY) College at Geneseo and accepted her first teaching position in East Aurora, New York, rooming with other first-year teachers in a historic Maine Street house.

She married the late James Paul in 1956, and they shared 64 years together, raising daughters Gail (Chris) Perrino and Laura (Paul) Fiorenza, relocating several times for Jim’s sales job, and retiring in North Carolina’s Sandhills. Her last teaching position was at Eastern Elementary School in Lexington, Ohio, where she made lasting friendships and excelled in difficult master’s coursework from Bowling Green University.

The birth of her grandchildren—Hannah, Juliet, Veronica "Niki," and Aidan—brought her unmeasurable joy, and her spirit shone brightly when they were together.

A talented and versatile cook, Kay’s house and kitchen were open to all. She loved gardening, travel, reading, and her daily crossword challenge. She was a long-time member of the P.E.O Sisterhood. Kay’s brother, Asher (late Rose) Cutler and brother-in-law Jim (late Carol) Case live in the Corning area.

Kay’s visitation will be held at Llanfair Retirement Community in Cincinnati’s College Hill neighborhood on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM, immediately followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM that same day. Inurnment is planned at a later date at Coopers Plains Cemetery, Steuben County, New York, the final resting place of her parents and late brother, Robert Cutler. Memorials may be made to SUNY Geneseo and to the P.E.O. Foundation.