Paula Beckwith Clary

Paula Clary passed away on January 22, 2025 at Virginia Hospital Center. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was also a very proud resident of Falls Church City, where she contributed much to the schools and her community during her almost 30 years of residence here.

Paula was born to Fred and Marjorie (nee Tucker) Clary in Fort Lee, Virginia in 1952. Fred was in the United States Air Force, and over the course of Paula’s childhood she lived in a number of places, including Louisiana, Maryland, and the Philippines. She graduated from Clovis High School in Clovis, New Mexico in 1970.

Shortly after graduating high school, Paula moved to Washington, DC and took a job in the federal government. She later enrolled in Wheeling Jesuit University where she graduated in 1976. She met her husband, Stephen Bottock, at a downtown bar and they wed in 1979. They were blessed with their first daughter Kaitlin in 1986, and their second daughter Taylor in 1992. Her heart grew fuller with the arrival of grandchildren, Nora and Joseph, in recent years. Everyone who met Paula knew that her daughters and grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Paula and Steve moved to Falls Church City in 1998 so that their girls could attend the wonderful schools here. She loved the Little City. She worked with Girl Scout Troops, regularly tended the concession stand at the high school (even when her kids were not on the field), and joined the PTA. For many years, she worked diligently to help put together the community’s All Night Grad celebrations. She was always generous with her time, and she spent many hours investing in her community.

Paula was an outgoing and outspoken person who loved her family and friends. Paula was a firm believer in feminism and encouraged her daughters to be strong, independent women. She always advocated for women’s rights, and was a life-long supporter of gay rights.

Paula is survived by her daughters Taylor Clary Bottock and Kaitlin Clary Bottock (Andrew Van Duzer), two grandchildren Nora and Joseph, sister Karen Crump (Phil), nephews Derek Breuers (Leah), Kyle Phillips, Hunter Crump (Heather), and Cullen Bottock, and nieces Stacy Breuers (Pat Gostomski) and Kacie Casey (Cameron). She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister Donna Phillips. Her husband, Steve, died in 2021. She missed him very much after he passed.

A small memorial service for family will be held at [the Falls Church Episcopal Church] in Falls Church on February 15 at 10am. In accordance with her wishes, a “celebration of life” party will be held at Ireland’s Four Provinces directly after the memorial service, and all those that knew Paula are invited. In lieu of flowers, memorial girls can be made to the Falls Church Education Fund in Paula’s name (see http://www.fcedf.org/donate.html for instructions on making a donation).