SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Paula Frances (Hilbert) Graff, 76, of San Marcos, Calif., passed away on Feb. 6, 2024.
Paula was born on Oct. 28, 1947, in Portland, Ore. When she was just 7 months old the Vanport, (Portland) Ore., flood forced them from their home on Marine Drive. Paula grew up in Portland, along with her three brothers. She graduated from Buckman Elementary School and went on to graduate from Girls Polytechnic High School in Portland in 1965.
Paula is survived by her older brother, Gary (Dorothy) Hilbert of Portland and their children, Tina, Elaine, and Gina Rae; brother Ted (Colleen) Hilbert of Vancouver, Wash., and their children, Justin, Bryan, and Benjamin; brother Stan (Barbara) Hilbert of Liberty Lake, Wash., and his children, Greg, Marc, Matthew and Anna; several great nieces and nephews on the Hilbert side; a brother-in-law, Henry Ronald Graff of Chico, Calif., and a sister-in-law, Rose (Marty) Medvec, her children and grandchildren.
Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Ballard Hilbert Eayrs, and her father Barney Hilbert; stepfather Bob Eayrs and stepmother Betty Hilbert; nephew, Kenneth Hilbert and niece Brandy Hilbert and her spouse Benny; great-nephew, Justin Hilbert and great-niece, Mallory Goins, both passing away in 2016.
As a young woman Paula worked at a variety of jobs. Those included an office assistant, as a waitress, in agriculture, in a sales position, and as a freight billing clerk for a trucking company where she was an ace typist. Paula traveled extensively, taking her to Canada, Mexico, South America and several US states. At a Satellite Sales convention in Las Vegas, Nev., she met Bill Graff. After a brief long-distance relationship, they were married at Bill’s home in Santa Fe, N.M., on Sept. 15, 1984. In attendance were both of her parents who had been divorced for 20 years. It was a joyous occasion with close family members.
Paula and Bill started a business called “Santa Fe Satellite” while Bill worked at his job at Los Alamos Observatory as a technician. They moved into a newly built home. Paula also had a word processing business where her clients were college professors. Paula and Bill took accounting classes together and started their business called “Graff Bookkeeping at Home.” With a desire to live in a warmer climate they moved to Carlsbad, Calif., then moved into a newly built home in San Marcos, Calif., where they continued their bookkeeping business until they retired.
Paula was an intelligent, fun-loving individual. She could be the life of a party. She loved her many friends, the beach, exercise and especially her kitties. She had a great command of the English language and loved to read, always with one or two of her beloved kitties by her side.
Paula is greatly missed by both the Hilbert and Graff family. Her remains were placed in a vault at Miramar Military cemetery alongside her husband Billy (Bill) Gene Graff. May their souls rest in peace.
