Paula Joan Harris

August 17, 2020. She was 95.

Born in New York, New York on January 15, 1925, to Mae Heller and Murray Spies, her

daughter Pamela often quipped about her: “You can take the girl out of New York, but you can’t

take New York out of the girl.”

Paula adored her hometown, and often regaled her family with tales of horseback riding, ice

skating, and riding bicycles in Central Park, growing up in New York City in the "good old days.”

She had many deep connections to the city; her father even held the post of Assistant District

Attorney for NYC in the 1920s.

The family called 90 Riverside Drive home, and it was in that neighborhood that one of the Marx

brothers, Harpo, taught Paula how to ride a bicycle. Paula attended Highland Manor School for

girls in Tarrytown, New York, graduating in 1942.

A true beauty with shining brown eyes and long blonde hair, Paula was the picture of grace and

refinement — never a hair out of place. She looked like she’d stepped out of Hollywood’s

heyday — coiffed hair and hats, manicured hands, sharp suits, meticulous makeup and

gorgeous jewelry.

Perpetually dolled up and ladylike, she believed in the “best of times” — a bygone era when

women were ladies and men were gentlemen. This belief culminated in an enduring passion for

classic movies and the stars of the silver screen.

A devoted wife, Paula was eternally proud of her brilliant and accomplished husband Bernard

“BJ” who preceded her in death by 17 years. They “broke the mold” when they made him, she

used to say — and he treated her like a queen. BJ’s achievements were many, including

receiving an award from President Harry Truman for Volunteerism.

Paula and BJ also lived in Kentucky, where BJ was awarded a government contract to build

apartments, homes and a hotel on the base at Fort Knox. While living in nearby Louisville, KY,

the young family lived on Harris Street, named in honor of the development built by BJ.

The family also resided in various cities in Florida: Miami Beach, Manalapan and Palm Beach,

where Paula became a philanthropic pillar of the community.

While in Miami Beach, the Harris family made the history books. BJ built a home and moved his

young family to the restricted Sunset Island community. After being told to leave because they

were Jewish, BJ, with Paula at his side, fought all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. Seven

years later, in 1959, they prevailed; "Harris vs Sunset Island" became a legal precedent, one for

the law books.

Paula used to say that if Bugsy Siegel (who was both Jewish and a gangster) was able to buy

his mistress, Virginia Hills, a residence on Sunset Island ... certainly a patriot and WWII veteran

like BJ should be welcome there.

Together Paula and BJ were tirelessly dedicated to charitable causes; granting millions to an

array of organizations. After BJ's passing in 2002, through the BJ & Paula Harris Fund, (advised

by Palm Healthcare) Paula granted a million dollars in nursing scholarships to local medical

students over the years. Her charitable donations include the Caridad and MyClinic free clinics,

Morse Life and Kramer Senior Services, Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, Wounded

Warrior Project, Strokes of Hope and numerous others. In 2008 Paula also donated a fully

equipped ambulance to Israel's Magen David Adom.

Paula also had a special connection with her granddaughter Karen. Their once-in-a-lifetime

relationship began when Karen was born on Paula’s birthday. The bond between grandmother

and granddaughter remained until Paula left this world on the day of Karen’s son’s Bris. As her

grandmother’s life ended, Karen’s son’s life began!

Lively and social, Paula belonged to the finest country clubs in Palm Beach including the Palm

Beach Country Club and the Yacht Club — elegant establishments where she could indulge in

her lifelong love of fine food. She loved gathering family and friends for special occasions and

fine dining at the area's best restaurants. She often joked about herself that she wasn’t one for

golf or cards; she was the “eater”; more than anything she just enjoyed shining in social circles,

dressed to the nines.

A connoisseur of precious dolls, she boasted a collection of more than 300 museum quality

antique porcelain dolls. Paula’s passion was so great that she befriended the famous doll maker

and former Palm Beach resident, Madame Alexander. She also enjoyed shopping, and always

had an eye for a bargain.

A lifelong animal lover, Paula had 12 dogs throughout her life, all of whom she adored. From

Bunky her childhood fox terrier, to Lassie the collie, to Love the chihuahua, they enriched her

existence, and she continuously gave back to animal welfare and rescue groups including

Peggy Adams, New York Guide Dogs for the Blind, and American Humane, showing her

appreciation for all the creatures of the Earth.

Paula leaves behind a diverse and loving family that spans the continents; two daughters,

Peppie and Pamela and a son, Jon; seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Grandson

Allon and his family live in Herzliya, Israel.

To all who knew her, Paula had a tremendous feeling of enjoyment and enthusiasm for life, her

presence will be missed — and her generosity and grace will have ripple effects that last

forever.