Paula Rosenberg-Bell

January 30, 1952 – November 8, 2026

Paula Rosenberg Bell, 74, of Taftville, CT, passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2026 surrounded by her family. She was a beloved wife, partner, sister, aunt, great-aunt, teacher, colleague, and friend whose love extended far beyond any title.

Born on January 30th, 1952 in Putnam, Connecticut to David and Shirley Rosenberg, Paula was the oldest of three children and big sister to Warren and Joel. She had a gift for keeping people close. Friends that Paula made across every stage of her life remained dear to her, and many who first knew her as a colleague came to count her as a friend. Paula fiercely loved her nieces and nephews and many students, whom she fondly called the “children of my heart.”

Paula graduated from Boston University in 1974 and earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia in 1975. She had an exemplary career as a teacher of the deaf spanning over four decades, first in Richmond, Virginia public schools and then back home in Connecticut across the community college systems and grade schools alike. She took particular pride in helping establish American Sign Language programs at three Connecticut schools: Montville High School, Palmer Academy, and Robert E. Fitch High School.

Paula mentored fellow teachers, was a passionate advocate for the deaf community including deaf individuals, children of deaf adults and families of deaf children, and led her students with the candor and humor she became known and adored for. Throughout her cancer journey, one of her greatest motivations was to get back to her classroom.

Paula’s Jewish faith was an important part of her life, and Temple Beth Israel in Danielson was a community she held dear. She served as president of the Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society and later as president emerita. Through her service, she helped maintain the temple and its history so future generations could share in the traditions that meant so much to her.

Paula is survived by her partner Gary Tobias, brother Warren Rosenberg and his partner Rhonda Brooks, brother Joel Rosenberg and sister-in-law Beverly Burke, niece Cara Rosenberg-Ramos and her husband Salomon Ramos, niece Allie Rosenberg Pergram and her husband Matt Pergram, niece Bailey Rosenberg-Nascimento and her husband Jhonatas Nascimento, nephew Connor Rosenberg and his wife Molly Corvello-Rosenberg, and her grand nieces and nephews Penelope, Francisco, Sierra, Sloane, and Marco. She was preceded in death by her husband Christopher Bell, and parents, David and Shirley Rosenberg.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:00 a.m. at Temple Beth Israel in Danielson, Connecticut. Immediately following, attendees are invited to a graveside service at Tifereth Israel Cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The first night of Shiva will be held back at Temple Beth Israel starting at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society Endowment Fund in memory of Paula Rosenberg Bell.