On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, Paula E. Petrik, Professor Emerita of U.S., social, business, and economic history at George Mason University, passed away at age 74, with family by her side, and friends in her heart.
Paula was born on Christmas Day, 1948 in Ramsey, Minnesota to Paul and Helen (McKinney) Petrik, and enjoyed a career in academia spanning over 40 years. In 1982, she married Walter Sylva, and inherited five stepchildren in the process.
Paula led a colorful and adventurous life and epitomized what it means to be a “tough Montana woman”. She was an expert on the ski slopes, coached several women’s sports, and traveled the world as both a learner and a teacher. She enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for the Montana Club and supported a wide variety of charities held near her heart.
Throughout her life, Paula’s pursuit of knowledge was legendary, and her ability to learn, then educate others became her life pursuit. After graduating from St. Mary’s Hall in Faribault, Minnesota, she completed a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Montana, Missoula, and advanced degrees from Cornell University and State University of New York-Binghamton. Her groundbreaking PhD dissertation on the role of women in late nineteen-century Helena, Montana, was published by the Montana Historical Society Press as No Step Backward: Women and Family on the Rocky Mountain Frontier, 1865-1900. An avid writer and presenter, Paula also contributed articles on women’s history, banking, the toy industry, and new forms of media. She co-edited with Elliott West Small Worlds: Children and Adolescents in America, 1850-1950.
She began her academic career in the 1970s teaching Creative Writing at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell and at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Montana. In the 1980s she was Assistant Professor of History at Montana State University, Bozeman, and in the 1990s, Professor of History at the University of Maine, Orono, before joining the history faculty at George Mason, where she supervised several theses and dissertation efforts. A longtime member of the Western History Association and the Coalition for Western Women’s History, she served on editorial boards of both the Western Historical Quarterly and Montana, the Magazine of Western History. She was the recipient of Fulbright, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Smithsonian fellowships, as well as an Apple Computer Faculty Internship, among others.
She spent free time traveling, crafting, visiting cherished family and friends, mentoring current and former students, and freely sharing life experiences and wisdom with all she met. With a quick wit, a sharp eye, and a well-guided remark, she imparted knowledge with every breath she took. On her passing, the world lost a great soul, a masterful teacher, an icon in the academic world, an appreciative and supporting friend, and a dedicated family member.
Paula was preceded in death by her beloved husband Walt, and children Walt Jr and Cynthia Sylva. She is survived by daughter Kimberly (Roger) Carpenter, sons Kenneth (Staci) Sylva and Calvin Sylva, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, several nieces and nephews, and her cherished cats and dog.
She lived. She loved and was loved. We are all better because of her.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Steve Armstrong says
My late wife and got to know Paula and enjoy her presentations while we taught at Helena High in late 1970s through the early 1990s. Among our favorite Paula presentations was the role of prostitution not only in Helena, but throughout the West. She did not demonize those who held this line of work; rather, she demonstrated that several women were prominent leaders in their communities. Paula created an entirely new way to examine the role of women in American history beyond what I would call the “coastal” historians of women’s history. Paula was all-inclusive in her research and her informative and animated presentations. While we lost track of a more personal connection with Paula after we left Helena, her presence as an historian was well-know to us as we continued our professional teaching careers. We enjoyed reading her articles in the Montana Magazine of Western History. My sympathies to Paula’s friends and family.
Randi Rognlie says
I took the class “Women in History” at MSU in the mid 80’s from Paula. Most of my classes were all about engineering but this was hands down my favorite class. She was a fantastic professor and the class, along with the required reading, opened my eyes to so much more in life. Thank you Paula!
Randi Rognlie
Brenda Wahler says
I was a student of Paula’s at MSU in the 1980s. She forever shaped my understanding of history and the role of women in society. I will always remember the time I attended a women’s history conference in Helena not long after her book came out. She invited me—a mere undergrad history major—to join her and several of her professional friends from other universities who were attending the conference. We took over the large oval table that graced the Windbag Restaurant and Paula entertained us all with her tales of researching her book and her related projects. She will be missed
Rose Hanan says
Paula was a beloved client of mine earlier in my massage career. Her thoughtfulness and kindness made me a better person and a more compassionate therapist. I treasure several thoughtful gifts she gave me from her trips. She also made me a stronger person that now fights for woman’s rights and the rights of other marginalized people: I know she is still with me and will proudly carry her spirit with me always.