Paula Kleczka

Paula Kleczka went to be with her eternal Lord and Savior on Friday, April 24, 2026, after a courageous battle with stage four cancer. She was born on September 17, 1978. Although she was taken much too young, she was blessed in her final moments to be surrounded by her devoted boyfriend and loving family.

Paula grew up in a loving and welcoming home in White Rock, New Mexico, as the youngest of six children. She attended Los Alamos High School, where she developed her strength of will competing in track competitions. Following her graduation in 1997, she moved to Arizona with her sister Dawn and her brother Bill, but soon felt the pull of home, bringing her back to New Mexico. She established herself in Albuquerque at Mountain States Insurance as a receptionist and quickly worked her way up to an administrative position while pursuing a degree in accounting. Professionally, Paula was known for her initiative, clear judgment, and strong work ethic.

Paula touched the hearts of every person she encountered, welcoming them into her life. She was beautiful inside and out and generous with her love. She possessed a kind and caring spirit, and she filled every room with joy. She will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Peter and Violet Kleczka; her maternal grandparents, Alex and Polly Bransford; her maternal uncles, Billy, Louie, Jim, Ted, and Ricky Bransford; and her maternal aunts, MaryAnn, Juanita, and Bernadette.

She is survived by her parents, Lucille and Joseph Kleczka; her brother, Michael, and his wife, Jenny, and their children, Nathan and Evan; her sister, Barbara, and her husband, Warren, and their children, Matthew (and his daughter, Amara), Hannah, and Noah; her sister, Janice, and her husband, Frank, children, Beranda , Ricky, Amber Justin, Elias, Leandra and grandchildren, Analisa, Milania, and Isaiah; her sister, Dawn; her brother, Bill; and her devoted boyfriend, Roman, who remained by her side even through the worst moments of her illness, along with his mother, Swana, and his children, Gabriel and Inara.

She is also survived by her extended family, including her aunts Laine, Mary Kay, Jeanne, Dolores, Veronica, and Patricia (and her spouse, Richard), and her uncles and their spouses: Michael and Shawn, Phillip and Doris, Arthur and Pearl, Ben and Maxine, and her uncle Peter. She also leaves behind many cousins who loved her as both a friend and sister.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment - Rosario Cemetery at 1:00PM