Paula Leona Ames of Morgan Hill died Dec. 23, 2005, following a
lengthy illness. She was 80.
Mrs. Ames helped open the real estate field for women, breaking
new ground in a profession once reserved for men. Ames Real Estate
grew to include offices in Morgan Hill, Hollister and Gilroy. She
used her success to serve as a mentor to other women hoping to
enter the field.
Paula Leona Ames of Morgan Hill died Dec. 23, 2005, following a lengthy illness. She was 80.
Mrs. Ames helped open the real estate field for women, breaking new ground in a profession once reserved for men. Ames Real Estate grew to include offices in Morgan Hill, Hollister and Gilroy. She used her success to serve as a mentor to other women hoping to enter the field.
Born on a farm in Half Moon Bay on Oct. 26,1924, to Anthony and Grace Lewis, she was one of seven children. She graduated from high school at 15 and went on to attend the College of San Mateo.
She met her husband-to-be, Jim Ames when he was assigned by the Army to Half Moon Bay in 1943. He was stationed on the coast to guard against possible invasion. After a one-month courtship, the two were married. Jim was assigned to the Army Air Corps and the couple was transferred to a number of locations, including Japan and Okinawa.
It was her time as a military wife that Mrs. Ames credited with teaching her to get along with people, an asset she used profitably in her real estate career.
Mrs. Ames and her husband moved to a historic farmhouse in Morgan Hill in 1962, after his retirement from military service. It was not long before Mrs. Ames determined to go into real estate. She quickly earned her broker’s license and founded Ames Real Estate.
She also worked in land development, and was the developer of Sunnybrook, Mira Loma and Mesa Ranch in Morgan Hill.
Mrs. Ames was a founding member of the South County Chapter of the San Jose Real Estate Board and was appointed to the South County Planning Advisory Board. The founder of the South County Association of Realtors, Mrs. Ames organized and served as the first director of the Wednesday tour meeting that continues today. In 2001, she was recipient of an Outstanding Contribution Award from the South County Realtors Association in recognition of her achievements.
Following a life-threatening brain aneurysm late in 1979, Mrs. Ames began an ambitious but ultimately successful journey to recovery, assisted by her husband. After successful rehabilitation, Mrs. Ames and her husband elected to retire to Old Fort, N.C. While there, they organized a local Chamber of Commerce and were active in promoting tourism. She also opened a curio shop and a real estate office.
Eventually, the couple returned to Morgan Hill and finally retired.
Mrs. Ames is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim Ames; and a daughter, Leslie Ames of Morgan Hill. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Ames.
At her request, no services are planned.
