PAULA KEINER

Paula Keiner, age 65, of Maple Park, formerly of Naperville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 20, 2021.

She was born November 14, 1956, in Aurora, IL, to proud and loving parents, Paul and Kathleen Keiner.

Paula grew up in Naperville and attended Bebe grade school and Naperville Central High School before graduating from Kaneland High School with the class of 1974. Paula loved keeping statistics for the high school baseball team and took her turn on the stage with her fellow actors.

Paula continued her education at Waubonsee, where she continued to be the statistician for the baseball team before continuing on to Illinois State University.

In 1985, Paula left the cold winters behind and made her home in Florida. While in the sunshine state, she worked in advertising beginning with McFarland and Dryer in Miami, working her way from the bottom and rising up to become a star media broker. Eventually she left to begin her own business, Keiner Media, and brought it back home to Illinois to be closer to the family that she loved so much. Her passion for helping others led her to purchase a Home Helpers franchise and made her name in the home health care industry.

Paula had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her numerous cats and a few treasured dogs. She traveled relentlessly on “cousin cruises” to various destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii. Her trips weren’t only confined to boats, many trips in the company of her aunts and cousins to wineries in southern Michigan, making memories with every glass. Summer vacations in Northern Wisconsin, led her to become part owner of a lake home, with family and friends. Her love of the north was born from her childhood and the multitude of family vacations and was maybe where she found a love of fishing. Paula had a special relationship with the television show, Miami Vice, whose cast she consulted with many fundraising opportunities. Her collection of memories includes several pictures of her and Don Johnson. He became second string when she found the show, Yellowstone, and her “beloved” Rip took the top spot with a bullet.  Nothing was more precious as family to her, and it wasn’t just those to whom she was related. She never met a stranger, and any friend of the family was a member of the family for life, according to Paula. She gave of herself and became “everyone’s aunt”, had a list of friends a mile long and embodied the quintessential unconditional love of her Savior. Never having been able to fully bear the loss of her parents, the family chain has linked again after her Heavenly homecoming. The world is colder for her absence, her warm heart, infinite compassion, and long-lasting love can’t be replaced, but will always be remembered.

She is survived by her brothers: David and Kathy Hahn Keiner, and their children: Danny, Marie and Jacob; and Chris Keiner and his children: Emily, Alison and Adam Keiner; countless aunts, cousins and friends the world over.

She is preceded by her parents, Paul and Kay Keiner.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial Mass to celebrate her faith will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. Private family interment will follow at a later date.

Instead of flowers, the family would like to invite everyone to donate to the charity that was close to their hearts. Although Paula never had Alzheimer’s,  she led many fundraisers in support of finding a cure. Please give from your heart to https://act.alz.org. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.