Paula K. Midock, 68, of Frederick County, Virginia, passed away Thursday, December 30, at Winchester Medical Center with her family at her side.

Mrs. Midock was born in Hot Springs, Virginia, the daughter of the late Mabel L. and Waldo T. Neff.

Paula was a graduate of Valley High School, class of 1971. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from James Madison University; a master’s degree in Special Education from Radford University, followed by a second master’s degree in Music Therapy. In her early career, she was a music teacher (in Rockbridge County Virginia) and taught children with learning disabilities (in Monroe County, West Virginia). After moving to the Winchester area, Paula founded the “Music to Grow On” program at the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. Paula was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church where she also served as a director of the Joyful Voices Children’s Choir and a Cantor. Paula believed in the power of music to transform lives and over the course of her lifetime shared her love of music with thousands of children and families. In 2004 Paula joined Frederick County Public Schools of Virginia, first as a special needs pre-school teacher and later as the Music Therapist for the NREP program. She left the school system in 2018 and continued to blossom and thrive during her retirement.

Paula was an avid reader who continually challenged herself to grow and learn. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, scrapbooking, culinary arts, and word games; she continued to refine her talents as a musician and was passionate about photography as well as watercolor painting. While she was a woman of many talents, she was an extraordinary wife, mother, and grandmother. Paula married Dr. Randall L. Midock 38 years ago in Pearisburg, Virginia; they had two daughters, McKenzie and Elizabeth Hope.

In terms of personal philosophy, Paula was passionate about the environment and spent many hours connecting with the divine through nature. In contemplating death, Paula wrote “I may fly away, but I will fly back. Just listen for the song of the morning bird and the rustling of the leaves of any oak tree, and I’ll be there.”

Surviving with her husband are their two daughters: McKenzie Midock (James) of Alexandria, Virginia and Elizabeth Hope Midock of San Antonio, Texas, one grandson: Bennett Midock of Alexandria, Virginia, two brothers: Gregory Neff (Tracy) of Stanbury, Utah and Richard Neff (Elaine) of Hot Springs, Virginia, and two sisters-in-law: Darlene Revell (John) of Edinboro, Pennsylvania and Deanna Skena (Gary) of Monroeville, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and her canine companions, Findley and Fiona.

Due to COVID precautions, a private service for Paula will be livestreamed on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 5 pm.  Please join us virtually by clicking the livestream link below.  There will also be an opportunity for friends and the public to pay their respects during visitation hours at the funeral home from 10 am – 3 pm on Monday, January 10, 2022. Arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Paula Midock to the Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation (https://www.rls.org/donate-2020), 3006 Bee Cave Road Suite D206, Austin, Texas 78746 or to the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy (https://www.blueridgelandconservancy.org/become-a-friend.html) The Lemon House, 1305 Maple Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24016.