Paula Theresa Papponi

1. Paula Theresa Papponi
2. December 18, 1943
3. 
   

Paula Papponi, age 82, a resident of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, entered into eternal rest on April 7, 2026, during the octave of Easter. Paula was preceded in death by her husband Gabriel Papponi. She is survived by her children Louis Papponi (Brenda Martinez), Janice Martinez (Robert Martinez), and Adrienne Campbell (Richard Campbell), her five grandchildren, Alyssa, Nicholas (Angel Griego), Louis, Myles and Alexander.

Paula LuMetta was born in New York City in 1943 to an Italian family. She married Gabriel Papponi in 1962 and moved to New Mexico in 1979. Paula was an accomplished educator and an award-winning poet and artist. She studied English Literature at Dowling College and later received her Master’s degree and Doctorate in Education. She was a beloved teacher, directing plays and taking students to drama competitions around the state. She later became a principal and finally the Superintendent of Jemez Valley School District. Named a National Distinguished Principal and a Fulbright Scholar, she was also nominated for Superintendent of the Year. In light of all her accomplishments, Mrs. Papponi has been featured in numerous honors publications, including Who's Who of American Women. She was asked to present her dissertation research at Peking University in China and the University of Oxford in England. Her work as an educator even took her to Australia and Japan, thus fulfilling a lifelong wish.

What moved those who loved her the most was the way she thoughtfully brought beauty to the dinner table for every holiday, lovingly cooking everyone’s favorite meal and making sure the festive music never ended. She taught us how to find joy in the most beautiful operas, timeless works of literature, great paintings and memorable movies. Her pranks on April Fools Day will never be forgotten. Most of all, she was proud to pass on her Catholic faith to her loved ones. Requiescat in pace.

1. And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time. 
2.                                                                                                                                                          — Little Gidding, T.S. Eliot