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Paula Stolts
Paula June (Hayes) Stolts passed away peacefully at her home on March 8, 2019. She was born on Jan. 26, 1931, in Portland, Ore. and grew up there and in Idaho, where she met her future husband, Donald A. Stolts, at Coeur d’Alene High School.
Paula graduated in 1948, and after marrying in 1950, lived in Moscow, Idaho, while Don attended the University of Idaho. He was then drafted into the military and for the next 20 years, Paula served her country as a proud Army wife, supporting Don as he progressed through his exemplary military career, from private to lieutenant colonel. During this time she raised three daughters through various assignments, living in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; Heidelberg, Germany; The Presidio, Calif.; San Antonio, Texas; Quito, Ecuador; Ft. Belvoir, Va. and the Canal Zone in Panama.
After retirement, Don and Paula settled in Spokane, Wash., where she lived for most of her life. Don preceded her in death in 2007.
Paula loved the outdoors. She felt at one with nature, spending hours in her large vegetable garden, or raking and pulling weeds and planting flowers in her yard. She enjoyed camping, fishing, watching birds and just plain breathing fresh air. There wasn’t a shell on the beach that wasn’t worth picking up, or leaf or insect not worth studying.
She was multi-talented; she played the piano, arranged flowers, painted, cooked, photographed, sewed and played tennis, among other things. Her interest indoors included the symphony, theatre, museums, reading, playing games and learning about family history. After retirement, it appeared that she took nearly every elective that Spokane Falls Community College had to offer. She was a sports fan too, rarely missing a Gonzaga basketball game on television.
But mostly, Paula was the quintessential dog lover — they could do no wrong, regardless of what mischief they may have gotten into. Sometimes, she managed to get into mischief too; she loved touching any kind of switch, button, lever or knob, which usually led to trouble. She was especially dangerous with a computer mouse.
Although naturally shy, Paula always found ways to contribute to society, whether it was as a Girl Scout leader, picking fruits and vegetables as summer work, teaching nursery school music or English to adults, as a bookkeeper or librarian, or as treasurer for her All-Class High School Reunions. She worked at the flower shop at the Davenport Hotel, and in her youth was a cashier at the Wilma Theater in Coeur d’Alene.
Paula loved her country and was especially supportive of veterans’ issues. She was a beloved and supportive mother and grandmother, and a devoted friend who listened in a caring way. She was a strong woman, but down-to-earth and fun to tease, which she always took well. And she was sensitive, especially when watching tearjerker movies.
Paula loved her family and she is missed by all. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Bob) Baldwin, Brenda Dill and Denise Cavner; her grandchildren, Laura Baldwin, Paul Baldwin, Nicole (Joel) Clark, Sean Hannon, Jeremy (Yuko) Cavner, Jenny (David) Flick and Jovan Cavner; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the medical staff and all practitioners from Providence Holy Family Hospital and from Hospice of Spokane, all professionals who took wonderful care of Paula while providing comfort and support to the family.
It was Paula’s wish to be cremated and placed with her beloved husband at the veterans wall section of Evergreen Cemetery, in Post Falls, Idaho. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Paula to Hospice of Spokane, the Spokane Humane Society or KSPS Public Television.