Paula "Bookwoman" Ramos

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Paula B. Ramos AKA “Bookwoman”, passed away at the age of 71.  Paula was born on May 28, 1949 in Gary, IN to William and Silviah Sindlinger.  Paula graduated from East Chicago Roosevelt High School. Paula married Barry A. Jellison in 1969, then had Christopher and Paul until their divorce in 1977.  Paula remarried to John C. Ramos in 1977 until their split in 1994.  Their loss, she wasn’t high maintenance, those dad’s were just low effort… Paula went on to reside in Hebron, IN where she began her career as “Bookwoman”.  “Bookwoman” began as a hobby for Paula, and rapidly turned into a lucrative way to teach children the joy of reading.  She had a car full of books and artifacts and traveled to various schools, exciting the young people with history and imagination.  Eventually leading to her dream job at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL.  There she would yet again inspire young people to know and appreciate the history of the world and man.  Paula was quickly made the head of tours where she was called upon to guide celebrities and world leaders, privately, on museum tours.  Barack Obama, Cher, Paul Stanley from the band Kiss and the Dalai Lama among many others would personally request Paula to guide them through one of the world’s most fundamental keepers of the history of mankind.  Paula retired from the Field Museum in 2006 to care for her mother, Silviah.  Paula continued to volunteer her time with schools and young people in the neighborhood.  Paula had a passion for sailing on lake Michigan.  During the on season she lived on a 65’ ft racing sailboat in Chicago’s Burnham Harbor named “Geronimo”.  Paula’s favorite sailing adventure was the race from Chicago to Mackinac Island Michigan.  Her sailboat finished in the top rankings every time.  She loved to quilt and was a gifted piano player.  She so loved to sit and tickle the ivories, and everyone loved to listen to her play anything form Barry Manilow to Beethoven.  Paula had a hearty laugh, and was known for her generosity, kindness and inspiring spirit.  Paula’s favorite saying was “Forgive your enemies but remember their names.”  Paula is survived by her sons, Paul and Christopher.  They will be having private services in many places and at many points across the country.  To share an online condolence, logon to www.fifefuneralhome.com

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