Paula A. Spence

February 16, 1932 - September 24, 2020

Paula A. Spence born February 16, 1932 in Pomeroy, Ohio. She died peacefully on September 24th in her sleep. She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Pete. Paula is survived by her son Brad and grandson Andrew. She had numerous friends including Pat Brand who loved her dearly. Paula began her career in politics and was President and Owner of Spence and Associates from 1968-1980. She then joined forces with Gene Hameroff and David Milenthal and became the President of Hameroff/Milenthal/Spence until she retired in 1998. She was a trailblazer for women and gave back to the Columbus community she loved. Her accomplishments include being the second woman chairwoman for the United Way of Central Ohio. She was credited with personally meeting every Executive Director of the beneficiary agencies. Karen Schwarzwalder who was then Executive Director of the YWCA summarized her legacy, “Your open and inviting leadership style provided a point of access for agencies and the community to the United Way Board. You gave great support to agencies (our own agency is just one example). You are a wonderful role model for all women.” She also served on the Boards for the YWCA, what is now Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Catholic Social Services, Goodwill Rehabilitation Center, The Hannah Neil Foundation, Starr Commonwealth Schools, The Mount Carmel Foundation , The League Against Child Abuse and The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce (she was the only woman on the board). She also served as chairwoman of Operation Feed, the Red Ribbon Campaign, the Neighborhood Business Roundtable, and the Columbus Public Schools Communications Task Force. Spence's most pronounced fingerprint on the city, perhaps, stands on the Scioto Peninsula at the site of the former Central High School. A COSI board member from 1990 to 2002, Spence led the building, development and financial resources board, shepherding the effort to raise $45 million in private donations in the 1990s to move the science museum from Memorial Hall to its current home across the Scioto River on West Broad Street. She was a director of Society Bank, Nationwide Insurance Investing Foundation, Franklin University, Council for Ethics in Economics and the Columbus/Franklin County News Bureau. Her awards were also numerous including The Katherine S. LeVeque Award for Business/Industry for the inaugural YWCA Women of Achievement. The Columbus Award, which is the highest recognition given by the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. The first recipient of the Columbus Distinguished Communicator Award from the Columbus Chapter of Women in Communications. The Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame Award from Junior Achievement. The Christopher Columbus Award, the highest recognition given by the City of Columbus for outstanding service to the quality of life in the City. Columbus Greats We Love Award honoring people who have worked to make Columbus great. She was also the first woman to appear on the cover of Ohio Business Magazine. She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 1994. She was the first woman to win Ohio Businesswoman of the Year. Her commitment is an inspiration to all of us, perhaps she summarized her philosophy best, “It is important for all of us to become active in our communities. We have an obligation to give something back for all the community gives to us. Everyone benefits, including business, when we improve the quality of life in our community.” To continue Paula’s commitment to children and education, contributions can be made in her name to COSI, 333 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215.