Obituaries

Paula Michele McQuay Reitsma, 66, of Hebron, KY, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her residence.

She was born September 14, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois and was adopted nine days later by Dr. Russell Michael and Betty Jean (Gilmore) McQuay, who both preceded her in death.

She was united in marriage on September 7th, 1991 to Daniel James Reitsma. In 1993 they moved to Switzerland County, Indiana, where they set up home just outside of Vevay. They were the founders of Three Strand Chord Ministries, Inc., and were the primary operators of The Chord Coffeehouse. After 23 years on the farm in Indiana, they moved to the Northern Kentucky area.

Paula was united in marriage August 23, 1982, to James Anthony Pfiffner, who was in the United States Army. This union lasted through a tour of duty in Kaiserslautern Germany from 1983- 1987. Upon their return, they parted ways and divorced in March 1989.

Paula was employed with the United States Government, Department of Treasury for many years. She was formerly employed as a Lead Clerk Typist for the Staff Judge Advocates Office of the 219 SUPCOM in Kaiserslautern, Germany, prior to settling down in the States in the 1990’s. She was also formerly employed as an office manager for Hanrahan Investigations in Forest Park, Illinois, for three years; a customer service representative for Commonwealth Edison in Oakbrook, Illinois, for three years; project secretary for Brown & Root’s field office in Ghent, Kentucky for nearly two years and office manager for a myriad of jobsites with Lexicon Inc.

She will be remembered for her love of organizing – anything from a kitchen drawer to a huge event accommodating hundreds. Her precision to detail was both a passion and frustration to her. She enjoyed reading historical fiction, Bible Studies, knitting simple projects, cooking – baking – eating, communicating on the computer as well as writing “snail mail” correspondence, doTerra oils and playing piano. She was a founding member of The Link Church in Hebron, KY.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel James Reitsma of Hebron, KY, her mother-in-law Barbara Jean (Zuidema) Reitsma, her brother Kameron (Deborah) McQuay, brother-in-law Bobby (Theresa) Reitsma, sister-in-law Sharon Reitsma (Paul) Kuta, sister-in-law Cyndi Reitsma (Charles) Harris, nieces Morgan McQuay (John) Dyck, Jena Harris (Phil and son Christian Harris) Santiago, Lauren Harris (Mark and son Beau & daughter Murphy) Hofstrom, Megan Reitsma (Gabe and daughter Verona & son Aldo) Hoekstra, Rebekah Reitsma and Elizabeth Reitsma and nephews Kendall (Mackenzie and son Liam) McQuay, Steven Harris, Matthew Reitsma, her half-brother Jeff (Terri) Kochel and half-sister Kim (Tim) Haas.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Russell Michael & Betty Jean (Gilmore) McQuay and her father-in-law Robert Benes Reitsma, as well as the woman who gave birth to her MaryAnn Steinquist Kochel.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 11:00 AM until the time of service, 1:00 PM, at Linnemann Funeral Homes, 1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005. She will be laid to rest at a later date at Union Lutheran Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Link Church by clicking on the following link DONATE or to Little Lambs Ministry by clicking on the following link DONATE