* Rika P. Paperno; Retired Preschool Teacher

Retired preschool teacher Rika P. Paperno has died after a lengthy illness. She was 74.

Paperno, who died Thursday, was born March 28, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was raised in New York and married her childhood sweetheart, Morris L. Paperno, in 1943.

In 1960, the Papernos moved to Culver City, where Morris Paperno had several relatives.

She taught preschool and kindergarten classes for the Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation Department and at University Synagogue.

At age 60, Paperno started classes at UCLA and went on to earn a preschool teaching certificate.

She was a past president of the B’nai B’rith, a Jewish women’s organization in Culver City, her family said.

Paperno and her husband moved to Moorpark in 1986 after their sons bought the couple a mobile home. She taught for several years at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks and remained affiliated with the synagogue after her retirement in 1994.

Paperno taught kindergarten and preschool children for more than 30 years, her family said.

“Her major love was working with children,” said Paperno’s oldest son, Ronald Paperno.

In her free time, she enjoyed painting ceramics and molding clay.

Her husband died in January.

In addition to Ronald, of Las Vegas, Paperno is survived by another son, David Paperno of Reseda; two daughters, Susan Dale Paperno of Ballground, Ga., and Gayle Paperno of Reseda; six grandchildren; one great grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village. Interment will follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village.

Memorial contributions can be made in Paperno’s name to the American Cancer Society.

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