Paulina Ley

Paulina Reis Ley, 57, of Kingsport, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after cardiac arrest. Born in Alagoinhas, Brazil, and raised all over the world, she resided in Kingsport since 1990. Paulina received her B.A. Degree from the University of Houston. She studied ballet at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. Paulina's love was dance and choreography. She worked with many local theaters and schools. Paulina enjoyed needlework, spending time with family, and supporting the performing arts. She was a member of the Tri-Cities Rotary Club at Bristol Motor Speedway, St. Dominic Catholic Church and had been attending Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Gray.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Ley of the home; two daughters, Melinda Ley and Gabrielle Ley of the home; son, Patrick Ley and wife, Meredith Jagger of Tallahassee, FL; parents, Bill and Celeste van der Gracht of Kingsport; brother, Joe van der Gracht, wife, Terri, and their daughters, Kirstin, Dana and Sabrina van der Gracht of Columbia, MD; six grandchildren, Blake, Emmerson, Griffin, Gray, Piper and Paisley and their parents, Marnie and Bryan Head; father and mother-in-law, Joe and Rita Ley; brothers and sisters-in-law, Cathy Cornell and husband, Tom, Bruce Ley and wife, Cindy, Paul Ley and wife, Cheryl, Teresa Holman and husband, Tony, Barbie Campbell, Greg Ley and wife, Shawn, Carolyn Ley; extended family, Susan and David Hamrick, Doug Bischoff, Neva and Mick Mikula, David Doersch, Catherine Hauke, and Ellen and Charlie Robinson; and sister of the heart, Maria Maciel.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 5:30 pm at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Nolan officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tri-Cities Rotary Club at Bristol Motor Speedway PO Box 549 Bristol, TN 37621 or KingsportARTS 1200 East Center Street Kingsport, TN 37660.