Paula Schuck Dietrich, a longtime resident of Mooresville, N.C., died Thursday, November 23, 2023.
Paula was born January 10, 1953, in Yakima, Wash. By the time she had reached high school, Paula had lived in Seattle, Yakima, Walla Walla, Wash.; Reno, Nev.; Carmichael, Calif.; Fresno, Calif.; and San Jose, Calif.
She graduated from San Jose’s Lynbrook High School in 1971. She met her husband Mike while working in a dry cleaner in San Jose. Mike’s buddies hung out at the barber shop next door, and they let him know about a cute girl who worked at the dry cleaners. Paula and Mike’s first date was at San Jose Speedway. They were married in Saratoga, Calif., in 1975, and later had sons Steven and Jonathan. Paula and Mike were married for 47 years, until Mike’s passing earlier this year.
Paula, Mike and their sons moved to Nipomo, Calif., in 1985, where they would live for the next 26 years. Paula worked as a school administrative assistant at Dana Elementary School in Nipomo and was involved in the Santa Maria Karting Association.
Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 42. After her recovery, she worked to bolster breast cancer awareness and helped newly diagnosed women cope with the disease.
In 2011 Paula and Mike moved to Mooresville and built their dream home. Paula loved being a mother, but her grandchildren were her world.
Paula loved to travel. In addition to many trips to California to visit family and friends, she enjoyed several other memorable excursions, including traveling to Germany, Hawaii, New York and Treasure Island, Fla., with her family.
Paula never met a stranger and loved meeting and getting to know people. She maintained life-long relationships with friends from high school, friends she met in Nipomo and friends she met in Mooresville. She was positive and upbeat; and she lived every moment to the fullest.
She is survived by son Steven and wife Kim of Mooresville; son Jonathan and wife Caitlin of Orlando; grandchildren Emily, Nora and Jack; brother Larry and wife Robyn Schuck; and brother Jim and wife Cathie Schuck. In addition to her husband Mike, Paula was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Patricia Schuck; and daughter-in-law, Krista.
A graveside service will be held in Paula’s memory at 3:30 p.m. on December 2, 2023, at Glenwood Memorial Park in Mooresville.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Dietrich family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.