ELHS Class of 2007 Graduate Paula Zatko, 36, School Psychologist, Passes Away, Leaving East Longmeadow Community Heartbroken

The East Longmeadow community is grieving the sudden passing of Paula Zatko, a 2007 graduate of East Longmeadow High School who went on to dedicate her life to supporting children and families through a career in school psychology.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from former classmates, friends, and community members who remembered her as someone whose warmth and kindness touched everyone around her.

Paula grew up in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where she built the foundation of what would become a life defined by compassion and service.

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After graduating from ELHS in 2007, she pursued her passion for understanding human development at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, earning a degree in Psychology in 2011.

She did not stop there. Driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of children, she went on to earn an advanced degree in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied from 2014 to 2018.

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Her professional path reflected those same values. Before completing her graduate studies, Paula worked in direct support roles with individuals with disabilities, serving at Strawberry Fields Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania, Community Services Group in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and with Target Community and Educational Services.

She also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County in Seattle, Washington, in 2014.

Her internship as a School Psychology Intern with the Lake Washington School District in Redmond, Washington, from 2017 to 2018, marked the culmination of years of hands-on experience working with young people and their families.

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A Life Well Lived and a Love That Lasted

Paula married Khuram Shahid on September 15, 2018, just as she was completing her doctoral training. Those who knew her described the life she built as one full of love, purpose, and genuine connection with others.

When news of her passing spread through the East Longmeadow community Facebook group, the response was immediate and deeply felt.

Former classmates and neighbors flooded the comments with tributes that painted a picture of a woman who left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

One person wrote that she was genuinely one of the most beautiful souls, always smiling and kind without exception.

Another described her as beautiful inside and out, saying they would cherish the memories of her forever. Others simply noted how tragically young she was, a sentiment echoed again and again throughout the thread.

The grief expressed online reflects something real. Paula was 36 years old. She had spent the better part of her adult life studying, working, and building relationships in the service of others.

From her early days as a direct support professional helping adults with disabilities to her work within school systems supporting children’s mental health and learning, she consistently showed up for the people around her.

The East Longmeadow High School alumni community, which has faced other losses recently as well, is holding her memory close. Prayers and condolences continue to pour in for her husband, Khuram, her parents, and all who loved her.

Paula Zatko is remembered as someone who gave everything she had to lifting others up. She will not be forgotten.