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Paula Skulina Obituary
Paula Ahalt Skulina, 52, courageously kept cancer at bay for five years before succumbing to the terrible disease at her home surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, February 26, 2022.
Paula was originally from Afton, Virginia before moving to Lynchburg after graduation from Virginal Tech to teach at Monelison Middle School. She taught for 24 years where she touched so many lives and made lifelong friends.
Paula described herself as a homebody who loved to be active. She loved to blog, decorate, craft, cook, garden, and read. Her very favorite thing to do was to sweat, and when not DIYing, she was likely to be at the gym. Paula was also an avid tennis player, cyclist, runner, and animal lover. She loved her sweet dog, Sherman.
Paula is survived by her husband, David; mother, Georgia Ahalt; sister-in-law, Susan Button; and her dear niece, Reese. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Fredrick Ahalt and her brother, Frederick.
We want to thank all her friends and family for all the help and support through the years. Special thanks to the Tupperware ladies and to her cousin Amanda who provided an incredible amount of support to Paula during tough times while battling cancer.
A celebration of Paula's beautiful life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Madison Heights Baptist Church, 329 Main Street. The service will be officiated by Pastor Derik Hamby. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a visitation in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest that donations be made to Campbell County Humane Society, LUNGevity Foundation, UVA Cancer Center, or to your favorite charity.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paula Skulina
Sponsored by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory - Lynchburg.
Lucy
February 22, 2024
Paula your Memory is still very much alive, miss you lots!
Lucy
February 26, 2023
It's been a year since our beloved paula passed, my family and I think of her often. Paula you are greatly missed!!!
Joann Guyton
March 15, 2022
So sorry to hear the sad news of Paula's passing. Although I had never met Paula in person, we have emailed a few times and a read her blogd
She is a distant cousin on the Ahalt family. May God comfort her family and may she rest in the arms of Jesus.
Crissy Baumann
March 5, 2022
Paula was such a sweet friend and inspiration to many. I'm so grateful I had the chance to become friends with her through our mutual love of blogging. Though we only met in person once, I felt like we were "colleagues" chatting by the virtual water cooler and cheering each other on. I'm really going to miss her.
Jacob Wright
March 5, 2022
One of the best science teachers I´ve had.
Lisa Buick
March 4, 2022
Although I never had the chance to meet sweet Paula, I have followed her blog for several months. As a cancer survivor, I was drawn to her and prayed for her every day. I know your lives have been changed forever with her passing. I just wanted to send my condolences; I will pray that God will help ease your pain. I am so very sorry.
Julie Briones
March 2, 2022
Dave and Georgia, thinking of you today as you celebrate Paula's life. Praying you will feel the comfort and peace that can only come from the Lord. Paula was a wonderful friend and amazing lady. We will all miss her profusely.
Debbie Hunt
March 2, 2022
I am so sorry for the loss of sweet Paula. She taught one of my kids and I worked with her for many years at MMS. She was not just a co-worker but a friend. I loved our chats when she would pass by my desk and stop and talk during her planning time. One of my favorite Christmas tree decorations is a handmade snowflake she gave me. She shared her love of Vermont when my son moved there for a job as that is where she and Dave honeymooned, and shared places to check out during our visits. I loved seeing her blog posts and Stitch Fix keeps. She loved her family and their dog Sherman, who went on all of Paula and Dave´s adventures. She lived her life to the fullest and shared with us in photos. What an inspiration she was in her courageous battle, always smiling. Paula was beautiful inside and out. She was a gifted and talented person and she touched so many lives. I am blessed to have known her. She will be sorely missed. Prayers for peace and comfort to the family.
Debbie
lucy
March 1, 2022
I am so sorry to hear this,
she is and will continue to be greatly missed!
My family and I have been following her blog for a few years now.
May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Marty Oravetz
March 1, 2022
My deepest sympathy for the entire family. Paula was such a special person and always so upbeat. I will miss her blog and her sweet heart.
Jeannee Taylor
March 1, 2022
Your sweetness will be remembered and your light will shine long after your soul has left us. You touched so many peoples lives through your work and inspired so many with your strength. You will be missed dear Paula but never forgotten. Rest well
Robin Bennett
March 1, 2022
Dave, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard Paula fought. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
My sincerest condolences,
Robin
Chadd, Jonah, Dawn
February 28, 2022
We worked with "Mrs. Skulina" at MMS. Our office was beside her classroom. Each morning we watched as countless 7th and 8th graders stopped to hug her. Most kids that age are too cool to hug a former teacher but that´s the impact she had on her students. Every kid in that school knew Sherman´s name and asked about him frequently. Mrs. Skulina lives on in each life she touched with her knowledge, creativity, and spunk. It was an honor and pleasure to have known her.
Brandy (Snow) Eggleston
February 28, 2022
Sending prayers to you all. Mrs. Skulina was one of the best teachers I have ever had....one of those teachers that sticks with you. She was a great inspiration to me and , I know, many others. My thoughts are with you all.
Michael Dunn, Woodstock VT
February 28, 2022
I'm very sorry to learn about Paula's passing. She was very sweet and kind. Peace to the family.
The Dunns
Bill Stuard
February 28, 2022
Dave, please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beautiful wife, Paula. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Jennifer Gainer
February 28, 2022
She will be deeply missed in our blogging community, even if we are all friends online our screens and passions have united us in a unique way. Her kind and inspirational words will always be memorialized at Sweet Pea.
Cassie Bustamante
February 28, 2022
Dave and family, I am so so sorry for your loss. Paula ran on my American Odyssey overnight relay team of bloggers in 2015. She was always inspiring and had a can-do attitude throughout that race and life. I've appreciated her friendship and support over the years. She will be. greatly missed but leaves a legacy of light behind her. Much love to you. (Photo of teammate Sarah passing baton to Paula)
Laura Nuss
February 28, 2022
Hi Sherman, It´s Chloe & Elliott´s mom in Colorado. What a gift your mom was to so many of us who knew her. She showed us all how to live while fighting this disease. She will continue to make a difference for so many strangers who stumble upon her blog. I know your mom is in heaven playing tennis and loving on all the dogs and students and bloggers. Her life and her grace will live in so many y of us! Sending you paws and kisses, Chloe & Elliott & Laura
Mary Anne Russo
February 28, 2022
Dave, I was so sad to hear of Paula's passing. I met her 18 months ago through a blogging group. She was such an inspiration to all of us. We shared a few messages back and forth as I have a cousin going through a similar cancer. We talked about some of the trials he had been bless to try. I was amazed at how genuine and caring she was of my cousin, when she herself was going through so much. I will be praying and thinking of you, her family and of course Sweet Sherman.
Juliet Russell
February 28, 2022
Dave, I'm heartbroken for you and Paula's family. My first thought went to Sherman who Paula loved so much and was prominently featured on her blog. I met Paula through a blogging group 18 months ago. She was a source of amazing inspiration and I particularly enjoyed when she documented your travel adventures ...with Sherman, of course. Even though her person journey was so challenging, she took time to support and encourage me and other in our group. I admired her so much and she will be terribly missed. Best wishes to you ands sweet Sherman.
Suzanne Edinger
February 28, 2022
Our blogging community is better because of Paula. She set the standard for tenacity and consistency. What a brave soul to share her health with the world. Fly high my friend! Sue at Blu shopatblu.com
Becky Allen
February 28, 2022
My condolences to you all. Paula student taught for me at Westside Elementary in Roanoke. I knew then that she would be a wonderful teacher. She was quite knowledgeable and the students loved her. I followed her blog and had her in my prayers. May all the fond memories sustain you all and peace be with you.
Samer Mahmoud
February 28, 2022
My deepest sympathies
Wanda Sanford
February 28, 2022
Georgia, I am so sorry to hear about Paula. Always such a sweet person and so pretty.
Do know I am thinking of you and have such good memories of Paula and Frederick and riding the school bus. Love you and sending a huge hug. Wanda
Dawn Veliky
February 28, 2022
I have followed Paula's blog for several years now. I am so sorry to hear this news. I will miss her stories and projects and all her sweet pictures of Sherman. Sending prayers for her family.
Cole Candler
February 28, 2022
My first thought is how sad it is for the world to lose a woman like Paula. I remember one of the first times I met her was when Beth and I played David and her in mixed doubles on the bottom courts at Oakwood. She and David had just recently taken up tennis and Beth and I wanted her to have fun and love tennis like we did...but we still beat them pretty bad! I don't think she had fun that day. Over the years David grew to be one of my best friends. Our Wednesday night tennis matches were the highlights of my week. Still are and hope they still will be in the future. David and Paula loved the lake. When Beth and I bought a lake house a few years ago we always made a stop by their house when out on the boat or jet skis. We were sad when they weren't outside but loved it when we could stop and talk with them. Paula was one of the sweetest and funniest people I've ever known. She loved her students and I loved how tickled she would get when telling stories about them. Finally, I just like to say that Beth and I were blessed to see the love Paula and David shared. It is a beautiful thing.
Carole Cooke Saunders
February 28, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss in your beautiful wife and daughter to Georgia who I grew up with in Afton. Lori, my daughter, went to NCHS and graduated with Paula. May God give the family strength to handle this loss in the coming days and months.
Calvin Ritchey
February 28, 2022
Dave, no words I can offer will ease the pain of your loss. My prayers are for God to wrap His loving arms around you and give you comfort and a peace that only He can provide.
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