Martha von Schmidt-Pauli
Martha Jane von Schmidt-Pauli, wife of Edgar von Schmidt-Pauli, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
She was born on a farm in Amanda Township, Hancock County, Aug. 2, 1940, to Harold Porter and Bernice (Leichty) Hagerty. She attended Vanlue High School and what was then Findlay College (now University of Findlay), graduating with a degree in art and a minor in business.
Abandoning the idea of teaching, Martha moved to New York City in 1962, where she not only found employment with M. Grumbacher Art Suppliers but, within a couple of weeks, met her future spouse, who was selling IBM typewriters at her office. Swept off her feet, she married Ed within six months, and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage, raised three boys and created many lasting memories.
After 16 years on Long Island, the family moved in 1978 to Virginia Beach. In 1981 Martha started working in the volunteer office at what was then called General Hospital of Virginia Beach. She retired from the position after working for 24 years.
Throughout her life, Martha burned the candle at both ends because she liked being a part of everything. In high school and college, lacking both height and a girl’s athletic program, she lived vicariously through her brothers’ and her schools’ sports programs; cheerleading was the closest she could ever get to the playing field. Martha also loved music and she sang in every choral or musical ensemble available at her small country school and college and was active in the church choir as an adult.
Martha’s paternal great-grandfather was in politics and presided over the Ohio State Legislature and her grandmother was a Northwestern College graduate and elocutionist, from whom Martha inherited her ability to perform in public. From her Mennonite maternal relatives, Martha inherited a mischievous but spiritual, peace-loving, mediating presence.
Following her cancer diagnosis in December, Martha showed great strength through six months of hospice care. She was kept comfortable and busy by the caring staff there and was with her family when she passed away.
Survivors include her three sons, Karl (Pam), Richard (Mindy) and Christian (Shelli); seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jason), Corinne (Jacob), twins Stephen and Matthew, Jack, Jessica and Christopher; and two great-grandchildren, Blair and Gweneth. She was predeceased by her three brothers, David, James and Tom.
A memorial service will be held at Eastern Shore Chapel at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24. Her ashes will be buried next to her husband’s. Martha requested that friends send flowers to their own loved ones or make donations to The Joy Fund, the ESC food pantry, the ESC choir or a charity of the donor’s choice.
