Paula E. Gibson passed away at Northside Hospital, St. Petersburg, March 31, 2021.  Born in Quincy, MA, Paula's family moved to St. Petersburg in 1958.  Paula graduated from Northeast High School in 1965 and from USF in 1969 with a BA in Psychology.  Paula worked as a planner in several City of Tampa departments, then as a logistics planner for Paradyne.  She ended her career as a planner in the Pinellas County Community Development Department, serving as the county's representative on the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless for several years.

In 1982, as a planner with the Tampa Police Department, Paula met a Manatee County deputy sheriff, Michael McDonald.  They married in 1992.  Although they never had children, they both loved dogs, especially their Belgian Malinois, Katy.  Paula enjoyed collecting recipes and cooking healthy food.  During retirement, working the sudoku kept her mind sharp as did her concern with the plight of abused and neglected animals.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ASPCA or the Humane Society in her name.

Paula is survived by the love of her life for 39 years, her husband, Michael McDonald.  She was predeceased by her parents, William and Pauline Gibson, and her sister, Judy Gibson Bradford.

A picnic is planned for Saturday, May 22, at Lake Seminole Park starting at 11:30 am so that Paula's friends and family can celebrate her life.  For more details, email pgibson25@tampabay.rr.com.