1931 - 2025

Paula Miles Scott Lynch slipped away from this earth on September 15th, 2025. Hers was an extraordinary life filled with the love of God, the love of her two husbands and her extensive family, the love of friends, the love of her many dogs and the love of music! She was a beautiful and gracious woman who was blessed with a rare and incredible voice—one that she shared with so many through the years. For her children, her singing was the soundtrack of their lives.

Paula considered her children to be the greatest success of her life. She taught them the most important lessons—to be kind, to be compassionate, to love with a fierce but tender heart, to be humble and giving. She lived those lessons each day—the examples she set inspired generations of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her legacy will certainly continue on, and beautiful memories will come to mind as wisps of songs float across the air.

Paula was a lifelong resident of El Paso and never failed to praise and promote the people and culture of her city. She loved attending musical events and movies at the Plaza Theater. She was happy to encourage young singers to pursue their passion for music. And she loved her dogs, her constant companions. We honor her memory through the funds listed that benefit her city, her many interests and always her music.

“Life and love go on - let the music play!”

Donors may designate their contributions to one of the following three areas:

Al Anderson Scholarship Fund
The Al Anderson Music Scholarship Fund was established to honor Anderson, who taught for many years in El Paso at both Bowie and Austin High Schools.

Al first came to El Paso as a member of the Army band assigned to Fort Bliss. When he left the service, he settled in El Paso. He later taught at Texas Western College before moving to the public schools, where he made a career of teaching young musicians. He was a skilled pianist and a prolific arranger and wrote for groups at both the collegiate and high school levels in both jazz and concert band idioms.

Borderland Animal Rescue Fund
The Borderland Rescue Fund was founded in response to an overwhelming crisis in the El Paso region’s animal welfare system. In 2024, over 25,000 animals entered local shelters and rescue organizations—placing immense pressure on already strained resources, limited funding, and an overextended network of volunteers and staff. As intake numbers continue to rise, the need for immediate, community-based support has never been more urgent. The Borderland Rescue Fund exists to alleviate this burden by providing critical support to local animals, pet owners in crisis, welfare organizations, and the compassionate individuals who step in to help. Our mission is to strengthen the animal welfare ecosystem in the Borderland through a multi-pronged and wholistic approach.

The Borderland Rescue Fund recently launched a pet pantry initiative, providing free food and supplies through local libraries and rescue partners to help keep pets healthy, happy, and at home.

Plaza Theatre Endowment Fund
The El Paso Community Foundation led the charge to restore the Plaza Theatre, which opened in 1930 and was restored to its original uniqueness and beauty in 2006. It is one of the most historic buildings in downtown El Paso, and the best performing arts facility El Paso has ever seen. The Plaza Theatre is one of the busiest venues of its size in the country, home to Broadway shows, concerts, graduations, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, the El Paso Community Foundation’s Plaza Classic Film Festival and other events.

The Plaza Theatre Endowment Fund was created to help maintain and upgrade this jewel of downtown El Paso. Your gift ensuresthat the Plaza Theatre can be enjoyed for generations.