Many of us have skated with Paula for years and know her from the roots of the adult program.
Following are e-mails from Maggie Harding, Lexi and Jeff:



Many of you may have already received this sad news from Lexi or Jeff.
Please read below. Paula was instrumental in the development of adult
skating programs as well as serving as the Chair of the Adult Skating
Committee early on. She's one of the people who made the U.S. Adult
Figure Skating Championships a reality for all of us. She helped me
transition into the chair position of the Adult Skating Committee after
she expressed her confidence in me to do the job. I'm going to miss her.

--Maggie



Subject: Re: Paula Smart
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 09:43:13 EDT
From: LexiSk8@aol.com

Friends,

This morning I received news that Paula has fallen into a coma suddenly,
and was diagnosed with an incurable brain disease that will claim her
life very quickly. I wanted to share with you all that Paula is the
reason I got involved in adult skating. She has been a friend and a
mentor for almost 20 years and today I am very sad that such a dynamic
woman could be struck down by something like this. Please consider how
fragile life is and enjoy each moment of your day. Please pass this
along so we may all send our collective positive thoughts to Paula and
her family.


~ Lexi Rohner



All,

I have some very sad news. Please see the attached link. Please
pass the link on to whomever you deem appropriate.

http://paulasmart.blogspot.com/


Jeff

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

A fabulous skater and an amazing, courageous woman. You will so be missed.

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This is terrible news.

How awful! I didn't know Paula Smart, but I do remember her competing at NYI a few years ago, and I think she won her event. I'm sure she'll be missed by many in adult skating.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

I've said this on Facebook and CAS but words cannot express the shock of this happening to such a wonderful skater and person. I met Paula at NYI a few years back and she was very nice and a awesome skater to boot.
My prayers are with her family and the adult skating community of LA!!

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

Hi

I do not know Paula but that is definitely very sad news.

londonicechamp

My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. Cherish every moment.

Here's a link to an article from AN 2004, along with a great photo ... a brighter image to remember her by, I hope.

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=24344

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"Gravity is a harsh mistress." -- The Tick

Oh my gosh, how terrible! I've never met Paula but have watched her skate, and she was so elegant on the ice.

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2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

Oh dear, this is news is sad indeed. I admire Paula enthusiasm and her energy (and of course also how she skates!). My thoughts are with her and her family in this difficult times.

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Blog: http://chowskates.blogspot.com

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/chowskates
~~~~~

This is so awful. My prayers are with her family.

There's a Facebook page for Paula, where they're talking about getting a trophy named for her at Adult Nationals. Anyone interested in donating can find out more about it there.

Here is the Facebook page link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-...1514375?ref=nf

Jeff just posted that Paula passed away this morning at 12:37am.

She will be missed.

Rob

__________________
Geriatric Figure Skating Crew - President for Life!
Georgia Figure Skating Club - President (again)
Facebook
____________________________________________
"I'm too old to die young, and too smart to be happy" - Kinky Friedman, The Mile High Club

2010 Adult Nationals - earning a gold - "Priceless"
2009 Adult Nationals - competing with a cold is not much fun.
2008 Adult Nationals - Too little sleep, too much vodka!

Unlike many of you, I did not know Paula; however, after reading everyone's memories and stories about her, she's sure to be missed.

This is such sad news, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family through this difficult time.

My sympathies to Paula's family.

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I didn't know Paula, but her friends and family have my utmost sympathy and prayers.

Keeping her friends and family in my thoughts at this difficult time. Although I didn't know Paula, it is evident that the adult skating community has lost a very special person.

Nicki

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www.myspace.com/insatiableskater

I wish the USFS site would do a Paula Smart tribute....

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Write one and send it to them? I'm sure they'd be happy to post it.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

This is very sad news.

I did get a chance to meet and talk with her in the 2004 Adult Nationals when our club was host club.

A fabulous competitor and a fabulous person.

She will be missed.

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

I am saddened to hear about Paula's passing. I know of the contribution she's made to Adult Skating, particular with putting in Adult MITF in place. I don't remember meeting her, though I need remember watching her skate in person at a couple of competitions. She will definitely be missed.

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Maggie Harding says:

Lexi Rohner, Chair of the Adult Skating Committee and columnist for Skating Magazine, is collecting rememberances of Paula to write up a tribute to her in the magazine. Please forward your memories of Paula to Lexi at lexisk8@yahoo.com.

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Hi

That is indeed very sad news.

My condolences and sympathy goes to Paula and her family.

londonicechamp