No One Gets Out Alive, But It Still Sucks

Anita Marie Paulin, 88, of Louisville, KY, died peacefully on February 8, 2017.  Strong and generous to the end, she had been the one to hold the hands of many loved ones who went before her, and she did not want anyone to have to experience the pain of saying goodbye. Instead, we say, “See you later.”

Anita was the daughter of the late Julia Louise “Lula” Jacob and August Frederick Schick. She was the youngest of nine children and was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Loraine Theresa Schick (Albert Hartlage), Charles Joseph Schick (Mary Rose Donahue), Florence Agnes Schick (Rossille B. Spindler), Louise Augusta Schick (Albert Wells), John Jacob Schick (Charleen Raymick), August William Schick (Martha Hubbard), Alpha Loretta Schick, and Murel Marie Schick. She was the only one of her siblings to be born in a hospital. Born at the start of the Great Depression and after the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote, she was arguably the most independent of “the pretty Schick girls” of Shively.

She was married to the late Eugene Leo Paulin, Jr. for 17 years and is survived by their three daughters: Jeanie Marie (Stanley) Slate, Lisa Ann (Don) Coder, and Nancy Lynn Schick, as well as three grandchildren (Justin Michael Paulin, Anita Christene Paulin, and Hannah Michelle Slate) and two great-grandchildren. She also informally adopted many children of all ages and backgrounds. She loved everyone, and rarely met a person she didn’t like.

Anita worked much of her life as a secretary—for Four Roses Distillery, Seagram’s Distillery, and General Electric. When she was at Seagram’s, she was known to be a master taster with a distinguished palate. Her daughters only had opportunity to sneak the best bourbons from the liquor cabinet.  

She was a three-time cancer survivor and member of several Catholic parishes throughout the archdiocese. After she retired from GE, she volunteered in the office of St. Vincent DePaul – Robert’s Hall for 15 years. When she wasn’t caring for others in some way, she could be found sitting in her recliner and “coaching” college basketball games. She lived a full life of family, friends, faith, and fun, always finding something to laugh about, even under the most difficult circumstances. She was an inspiration to many.

Her family is especially grateful to the entire nursing staff at Glen Ridge Health Campus, where she spent her last days.

A viewing will be held from 12 PM to 8 PM on Sunday at Embry-Bosse Funeral Home. Burial will be held at 11 AM Monday at Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, her daughters request donations to the James Brown Cancer Center.