Obituary of Paula Kelberman

Paula Kelberman, 75, passed away on May 24, 2026, from complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A long-time resident of Fort Lee, New Jersey, she had recently moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Paula was born in New York City in 1950, to George and Zelda (Metz) Kelberman. She grew up in Vineland, New Jersey and graduated from Douglass College with a bachelor's degree in art and then completed her doctorate in education at Rutgers University. She was a Professor of Elementary Education at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania where she was beloved by students and faculty and known for her creativity, humor, and passion for arts and elementary education. After retiring from East Stroudsburg, Paula taught at Monmouth University in New Jersey for several years. As a professor, she mentored many teachers and arts educators who are now teaching in schools in Pennsylvania and across the country. Paula was also a therapist and trainer in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) therapy, traveling and teaching internationally. Prior to her university appointment, she was very involved in Jewish education. She was involved in the Young Judea movement and Tel Yehuda summer camp and taught religious school for many years. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, she volunteered at St. Paul's Chapel, a place of refuge after the attack on the World Trade Center and participated in early stages of developing the 911 Memorial Museum. Paula loved the arts, children, travel, and most of all, her family and lifelong friends. She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary. She loved to give gifts related to art, sports or just plain whimsey. She adored her brother and sister-in-law, her three nephews and their partners, her extended family, and a large network of friends and colleagues and students who are bereft at her passing and cannot imagine the world without her. Paula is survived by her brother Ira Kelberman (Esther Chernak), and nephews Jacob Kelberman (Erin Busch), Bennett Kelberman (Megnot Toggia), and Zachary Kelberman (Elisa Sauvage Osato). Donations in Paula's memory can be made to the Cincinnati Book Arts Society, ALS-related charities such as ALS Hope Foundation and CCALS, or the 911 Memorial & Museum. A funeral service will be held Sunday, May 31st at 11am from Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland. Interment will follow in Alliance Cemetery, Norma. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com