She was born in Long Beach, CA to Air Force Colonel Paul Hansmire and Evelyn Mohlis Hansmire. Paula attended Park University in Parkville, Missouri, later moving to New York City with her late husband, Menotti John Ciferni. Paula became an elementary school teacher in Bedford Stuyvesant, later opening her own preschool in Park Slope after the birth of her first child. She was very active in the feminist movement during the 1960s and 1970s. After the loss of her first husband, Menotti John Ciferni (d. 1977), Paula eventually met and married, Harry S. Tarzian. (d. 2013). Together they formed a loving, blended family spending time on their sailboat in the Caribbean and then in Europe. They then settled in Annapolis, MD for sixteen years, eventually returning to Brooklyn to grow the family business, Tarzian Hardware on 7th Avenue in Park Slope. In addition to her keen interest in child development, Paula loved sailing, opera, history and most importantly her family. Paula was a proud mother, and an even prouder grandmother. She leaves behind a family legacy that will continue in its humorous and energetic way.
In addition to her late husbands, Paula is survived by her sisters Kathryn Dahl and Pamela Hansmire, children Jennifer Ciferni Perry and M. John Ciferni (Carolina Sandoval Ciferni), and step children Charles Tarzian (Brenda), Joanne Tarzian, Will Tarzian, Edith Tarzian and Marybeth Tarzian (Rob Gearhart). She is also survived by grandchildren Wilson Gearhart, Dylan and Grady Tarzian, Olivia and Samantha Ciferni, Jameson and Wyatt Perry. Also, survived by nephew Erik Dahl and grandniece Evelyn Dahl.
In honoring Paula’s request, cremation has taken place. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at Joseph G. Duffy Funeral Home, 255 9th Street, Brooklyn on Thursday, November 14 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm or 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and/or attend a celebration of Paula’s life at 11:30 am at the Montauk Club, 25 Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn on Saturday, November 16th.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Paula’s honor to the Annapolis Opera, 801 Chase Street, Suite 304A, Annapolis, MD 21401 or online at www.annapolisopera.org or to Project Self Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton, NJ 07860.
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