PAULA LEECH MCABEE
1928-2008

Paula Leech McAbee of the Seabrook, Hilton Head Island, died peacefully in her sleep at Hilton Head Hospital on September 16, 2008. Her three children, Kerry, Nancy & Bill and her sister and brother, Shirley New and Dick Leech, and Taylor the dachshund, all visited with Paula the day before her death.

Paula was born in Florence, Alabama on January 11, 1928, the daughter of Paul and Irma Leech. She grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Education and received a Master in Business Administration from the University of Florida. She met her husband Bill at the University of Georgia, and after both received their masters from Florida, went to work as teachers in Macclenny, Florida.

Soon after that, the couple moved to Pensacola, Florida where Bill started his CPA practice, and all 3 children were born and raised there. Paula enjoyed watching her children participate in many sports, and she also became an avid bridge player and gardener. She loved growing roses and vegetables, and became a Masters level player in bridge.

After her children graduated from college, Paula moved to Atlanta, where she lived for over 20 years. Many vacations away from Atlanta were spent in Hilton Head. In 2000, Paula decided to move to Hilton Head permanently, and enjoyed many walks on the beach with her sweet dog, Max. She lived on the lagoon on Palmetto Dunes, where her grandson Will loved to transport his grandmother by boat to Paula's son Bill's previous home in PD. She also enjoyed watching football and baseball, and was a big fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves.

Paula is survived by her three children, Kerry McAbee of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nancy McAbee of Charleston, SC and Bill McAbee of Hilton Head Island, SC; four grandchildren, Kaitlin and Kyle McAbee of Cedar Rapids and Will and Anna McAbee of Hilton Head; and her sister, Shirley New of Savannah, GA and Dick Leech of Richmond Hill, GA, and many nieces and nephews.

Private interment services at Six Oaks Cemetery will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paula's memory to Hilton Head Humane Association, PO Box 21790, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29925.

The Island Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 9/19/2008