Paula Diane Vestal

Paula D. Vestal, 60, of Shawnee, KS passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018 in Kansas City, KS.  Paula was born October 27, 1957 in Smithville, Missouri to Robert and Betty (Caudell) Vestal. Due to her father's work, the family traveled and lived abroad most of her childhood. She attended parent co-op schools in Korat, Thailand (Camp Friendship during the Vietnam War) and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and public schools in Kansas City, MO, Titusville, FL, and Pendleton, IN. She graduated from Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison, KS in 1976.  While in high school, Paula found her love of photography and earned several awards for her work. One of her photos was published in TWA's inflight magazine. Her photography led to a career with Hallmark Cards for almost 38 years, mostly as a Technical Artist. Paula was a highly creative, inventive, and visionary artist and skilled artisan, and in addition to her many talents, mastered wood carving and sculpture. Paula's heart and soul were her family.  She was a doting Aunt to her nieces and grandnieces and grandnephew. She took great joy in planning, creating, preparing and procurement of gifts that brought great delight to the recipient. Paula had a deep love for animals and enjoyed volunteering for Operation Wildlife and rescuing lost and homeless pets. She also loved nature and enjoyed adventures in the outdoors. In her late 30's Paula completed an Outward-Bound Adventure and later earned her SCUBA license to dive for a trip to the Cayman Islands. Paula is preceded in death by her father, Robert L. Vestal.  She is survived by her mother, Betty L. Vestal; two sisters, Linda J. Vestal; Clara A. Petitt; two nieces, Audrey A. Peery and husband Simon; Rachel R. Petitt; two grandnieces Olivia J. Peery; Alaina C. Petitt and grandnephew Michael R. Peery. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care for the exceptional care they provided, and to Paula's friends, Lynn Borkowski and Karen Turner for fulfilling her wish to be baptized in the Lutheran Church.

Saturday, August 4th, a celebration of Paula's life will begin at 11 a.m. with a service and friends and family will continue to be received until 4 p.m. at Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Hwy. 7, Olathe, KS 66061.

The family suggests memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to:

Operation Wildlife

23375 Guthrie Road

Linwood, KS 66052

OR

Great Plains SPCA, Attn: Development

5428 Antioch Drive

Merriam, KS 66202

OR

American Cancer Society

PO Box 22478

Oklahoma City, OK 73123.