Paula Kathleen (Martin) Schultz, 87, of Holland Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born July 30, 1938, Paula was the eldest of the six children of Paul Anthony Martin (1909-1976) and Helen Kathleen (Smith) Martin (1912-2006).
Paula worked for Ford Motor Company where she met Howard Schultz, a principal engineer, on a Ford ski trip. They were married in 1959 and Paula devoted many years to raising their three daughters. Their many trips to visit Howard’s parents on Water Street in Douglas began her attachment to the Saugatuck-Douglas area. The family enjoyed the Lake Michigan beaches, boating and visiting the many family and friends they had in the area. With built-in babysitters in “Grandma and Grandpa Schultz,” Paula and Howard could enjoy the Saugatuck nightlife, especially the piano bar and dancing at Billies Boat House, now known as Wicks Bar and Grill.
Paula was always up for an adventure and agreed to move their young family from Dearborn Heights, Michigan to Valencia, Venezuela for three years when Howard was offered a foreign service assignment with Ford. While living in South America, there were many opportunities to visit other countries and Caribbean Islands.
Upon their return from Venezuela, they moved to Grosse Ile, Michigan and Paula worked as an executive assistant to the CEO of Lambrecht Mortgage and Realty Company in Detroit. Once retired, Paula and Howard moved to western Michigan and settled on a lovely,15-acre property in Glenn. There, Paula became an avid gardener and joined the South Haven Garden Club, where she served as president for three years. She was instrumental in implementing a program to award scholarships to local students interested in Horticulture, the organization of Arbor Day activities, and the distribution of seedling trees for planting in the community. She also fulfilled her vision for creating a serenity garden installed behind the South Haven Public Library. Paula and Howard were active in the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society, volunteering in many capacities over the years. She was a wonderful homemaker and loved to cook and entertain. She was known for her creative cuisine and especially her varied soup recipes!
Paula was passionate about seeing the world. She achieved her lifelong dream of attending the Chelsea Garden Show in England and Monet’s Garden in France. Other memorable trips include Spain, Germany and Turkey with a special fondness for the western states of the U.S.
Paula is survived by her husband Howard; her daughters, Sandra Schultz, Julie Schultz Hislop (Thomas), and Christine Tucker; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Abigail Hislop and Stephen and Olivia Tucker; two brothers, David Martin (Dorothy) and Steven Martin; and three sisters, Elena DeMaggio (James), Nancy Martin (Dean Accivatti), Janice Kasprzak (Zygmunt); and brother-in-law, Frank Lovejoy (Judy). All will miss her deeply and fondly remember her sense of humor, influence, and inspiration.
A graveside celebration of life will be held in the spring at the Douglas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society or the South Haven Garden Club.
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