Paula Munger

Paula Jean Dominici Munger died peacefully in the mid-morning of August 2 in her bed at her home in St. James, North Carolina. She had been ill over nine months, but had fought fiercely to overcome her illness for that entire time.

Paula was 79 and was born in Somerville, New Jersey to Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. and Teresa Guhse Dominici. She attended public school in Somerville and graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 1965.

She was admitted to Ohio State University, and then to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

She married Paul David Munger in May, 1969, and together they moved to San Angelo, Texas, for his military training. She worked as an elementary school teacher in the San Angelo Public Schools.

His military assignment took them both to Brindisi, Italy, for two years. They returned to Bloomington where Paula earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Reading Instruction and served as an elementary teacher in the Gifted Education curriculum of the Bloomington Public Schools. Notably she was a key staff member at University School which became the first elementary school to receive accreditation from the North Central Association during her tenure there. She received accolades for her ability to design and manage a curriculum where every child was able to progress at her or his own pace.

She earned a graduate specialist degree in School Administration and received a license to work as an elementary school principal. During that time, she served as the liaison for all elementary student teachers with Indiana University’s School of Education.

When the family moved to the Washington, D.C. area, as the mother of two young children, she became the Nysmith School’s language arts teacher and then launched and directed that school’s preschool program.

Later, Paula and Dave established Munger Academy, an early learning and elementary school in Sterling, Virginia. Paula served as director and board chair for nearly twenty years. She oversaw the creation of a whole-language based curriculum which enabled students to achieve above-grade level performance. She frequently spoke throughout Virginia on that approach.

Upon retirement, she and Dave moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where she quickly began to contribute to the community in various nonprofit organizations. She served as the interim director and board chair of the John Wesley Ranch and Conference Center in Divide, Colorado; as the Local Champion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, quickly building that program to serve some 20,000 children in underserved areas throughout Colorado Springs; as Educational Consultant at historic First Methodist Church and as Acting Nursery Director at the equally historic First Christian Church, both of Colorado Springs.

She also cofounded the Front Porch Giving Circle which has raised thousands of dollars to support children, women, families and the arts in Colorado Springs; served as president of the city’s branch of the American Association of University Women and of its historic Woman’s Club, and as vice president of the Colorado organizations of each.

When she and Dave moved to the North Carolina coast, she was an active member of the Caswell Beach Sea Turtle Watch, of the St. James Service Club, of the Friends of the Library -Southport and Oak Island, of Brunswick County’s Community in Schools organization, co-founded the St. James Giving Circle, the school book drive of the St. James Service Club, and Jammiez 4 Kidz, and served on the boards of those organizations.

She is survived by her husband, Dave, her daughter, Kimberley Beth Schultz, her son, Christopher David Munger, Kimberley’s husband, Mark Schultz, Christopher’s wife, Nicole Boss, and her grandson Henry Paul Schultz, her brother, Robert, wife Pamela and their family, her sister Deborah and husband Doug, and Dave’s brother Peter, wife Louise, and their family.

Anyone who met Paula soon learned of her heart-felt commitment to the welfare and potential of children. In lieu of flowers, friends and associates are encouraged to donate to Jammiez 4 Kidz, the St. James Giving Circle, Community in Schools of Brunswick County, and Friends of the Library - Southport and Oak Island and/or provide their time to these organizations.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.