AMENIA — Paula Louise Pelosi, of Amenia and Brooklyn, New York, died on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Paula was born on Aug. 6, 1949, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Rose and Louis Pelosi. She graduated from the [Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, West Virginia, and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, and received her financial planning certification from New York University.
After graduating from college, Paula found herself working in a not particularly engaging job doing copyright title searches in the days when you had to go through endless card catalog drawers to research each application.
One night, while out drinking, Paula and a stranger decided to swap jobs and see if anyone would notice.The next day, Paula showed up at the Knoedler gallery on East 70 Street in Manhattan, New York. This happened to be the day Armand Hammer acquired the gallery, and amid the disruption and transition that followed, no one noticed that Paula did not really work there until after she had become indispensable.
From that serendipitous beginning, she went on to be indispensable to some of the most extraordinary figures in the contemporary art world, including Gala and Salvador Dali, Sally Ganz, Agnes Gund, Phyllis Hattis, Annalee Newman, and Louise Reinhardt Smith.
Paula’s longest and most significant professional relationship was working with the artist Frank Stella, both in his studio work and at his horse farm. Paula also became beautifully entwined with four generations of Frank’s family.
In addition to art, travel was another through line of Paula’s life: from adventures with her parents and an early job with Amtrak, to treasured trips with close friends, and even solo expeditions. Antarctica and Sri Lanka were favorite destinations in recent years.
More than anything, Paula made deep and lasting friendships everywhere she went and in everything she did, across generations and geographies. In addition to the multitudes of friends, godchildren, and honorary nieces and nephews she leaves behind, Paula was also the human companion of Angus, Dizzy (who predeceased her), and Nemo.
A memorial will be planned for this summer in Amenia, New York.
Donations in Paula’s memory may be made to the Animal Farm Foundation in Bangall, NY.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
