Paula Ratley

The world lost a warm ray of sunshine on October 29, 2021. Paula was a victim of a tragic traffic accident in Tepotzotlán, Mexico, where she was temporarily residing.
All will remember Paula as a soft-hearted mother and dear friend, who was consistently generous with her time, care, and money. Paula was a perennial volunteer, always the first to sign up to help, whether for a school carnival shift, a PTA position, or a Shawnee Mission East "cheerleader mom" role. Paula was a devoted caregiver to her mother, Sarah Gorelick Ratley, and was proud of her mother's accomplishments as a pilot and one of the Mercury 13 female astronauts. Paula was a hard worker, and gave her all in her positions with PB&J, The Atriums, and Amazon. Paula was known as a generous tipper, always remembering the challenges of working at a service-oriented job.
In August 2016, Paula hosted friends and family to a beautiful Quinceañera for her beloved daughter, Laura Grace Ratley.
Paula's ever-present smile, laugh, and generosity will be missed by all.
Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Sarah and Royce Ratley. Paula cherished, and leaves behind, her pride and joy: daughter, Laura Grace Ratley-Baeza, age 20 years, of Prairie Village, Kansas, and many, many friends.
Special thanks to the caring team at the Mark Zastrow Edward Jones office and to Kim Zellmer, Jennifer Furla, Gretchen Gordon, and Susan Nitsch for their friendship. A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date.
Contributions to honor Paula may be made to:
Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64137, in memory of Paula Sue Ratley.