Krista Paxton

Krista Jean Paxton of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, passed away at the age of 53 on December 30, 2022, at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak from complications due to a decade-long battle with cancer. Her adoring beloved husband, Ulrich Gollwitzer, was by her side.

LIFESTORY

Always known for her extraordinary zest for life and fighting spirit, Krista came into this world on November 27, 1969, in Johnson City, TN, to parents, Bruce and Edith (Bonfardin) Paxton. Krista had a happy, active childhood playing with her older brothers, Reid and Craig, never shying away from any activity or adventure, never seeing a difference between their ages, size, or strength. With her parents’ loving encouragement, she always believed she could do anything, and accordingly, she went on to live a life packed full of adventure and diverse accomplishments. Perhaps this is how she adopted her famous Wonder Woman alter ego.

Throughout childhood, Krista was a swimmer, karate student, and classical ballerina. After high school, when she realized she was too tall to ever become a prima ballerina, she officially hung up pointe shoes for sports she could truly master.

Krista graduated from Saline High School (1987) and University of Michigan, BA, Communications & Social Psychology (1991). Her studies blended masterfully into a successful career in the video production and marketing industries.

In adulthood, Krista became the glue of the family, traveling with and caring for her parents, always keeping her brothers honest and the siblings connected. She constantly challenged herself with new activities ranging from kickboxing and golf to a Master Gardener certification with her mother, to CrossFit and sailing – ultimately becoming a world-class sailor. Her pursuit of perfection had a way of turning her hobbies into passions.

By all accounts, there was nothing like her dazzling smile and the sound of her contagious laugh, which could dependably be used as a directional beacon to locate her at any gathering. It was special when you were in the room and part of that belly laugh!

Krista married the love of her life, Ulrich Gollwitzer, on September 14, 2014, at Stonecliffe Inn on Mackinac Island, MI… and again on January 10, 2015, in a little village near Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. She fully embraced her husband’s German culture, traveling regularly to Germany to visit her in-laws, learning to speak fluent German, and finally breaking her lifelong tradition of always being remarkably late. Krista and Uli shared a passion for sailing and high-performance cars, and they enjoyed producing professional marketing projects together.

Krista’s love of travel throughout life was constant: North America extensively during childhood vacations; the UK, Eastern Europe and Russia with her parents; Italy with her mom; then on her own and with friends; and ultimately with her husband Uli and his family throughout Germany, the Czech Republic and an adventuresome RV road trip along Route 66. She was like a sponge that couldn’t soak up enough fun, friends, places and experiences.

CAREER

Professionally, Krista had a vibrant, successful 30-year career as a Video Editor and Producer of Multimedia and Live Events. Her first ten years involved staff positions with Corporate Video Services (Southfield, MI) and Padded Cell Productions (Bloomfield Hills, MI), before transitioning into the freelance world and never looking back. From B2B and training videos for Fortune 500 companies, to documentary films and television shows, to in-person and on-line live events, she collaborated on countless award-winning designs and productions. Production teams increased their success simply by having Krista on them. She had an uncanny ability to turn complex chaos into finished professional masterpieces, usually on her first try. She seemed to effortlessly create magic by connecting thousands of disjointed pieces, masterfully blending creativity with technique, ultimately producing thousands of captivating graphics and videos. During long hours of production fatigue, she would famously vow to get proper sleep after the deadline.

ACTIVITIES

Sailing was one of Krista’s greatest loves and accomplishments. Her natural grit and commitment to giving whatever it takes and working hard around the clock helped her become a sought-after team member in the international sailing community. She has been part of professional sailing teams throughout America, racing around the world with international teams like Team ‘Black Seal’ (Melges 24; 2016 Key West Race Week winner), becoming 2013 U.S. Women's Match Racing Champion and invited to throw the celebratory first pitch at Comerica Park on April 16, 2014! The only thing better than sailing was when she met a sailor named Uli. Together, they sailed and traveled and watched one another win regattas around the world. Krista learned to sail at the Detroit Sail Club located at the ‘Goat Yard’ where she was also a Commodore. She was a member of Crescent Yacht and sailed out of Bay View Yacht Club on Bill Francis team ‘Solution’. A few months ago, Krista and Uli bought a 32-foot cruising sailboat for the purpose of exploring the Great Lakes and spending more time with her non-nautical friends who were always left ashore during her time on the water.

Krista was an original—spunky and sporty, a vintage clothing fashionista born with a sailor’s wild nature, always smack dab in the middle of the fun yet somehow oddly the voice of reason. She was spirited, vivacious, fearless, fun, and fabulous. She was beautiful every day, all the time, from her first day to her last.

Krista’s lifelong love of music and dancing extended to Alternative 80s, her favorite artist Prince, and the birth of the electronic music scene in her beloved city of Detroit. She was an unofficial Detroit Ambassador-ess and lived downtown for decades until she married.

For years to come, women and girls will be looking up to Krista Paxton. She had an ability to always laugh and exude positive energy, no matter the situation, stress or sickness. She was supportive and kind, while being straight and insightful. She could find the good in anyone because she truly appreciated everyone’s uniqueness and what they brought to the table. She had a signature legendary knack for turning a phrase or creating an analogy to simplify the complex, solve a problem, break the tension, or cheer someone up. She would acknowledge the reality at hand, then shake it into a glass half full, topping it off with a sparkling rye quip to make everyone burst into laughter and leave with some insightful wise morsel to chew on.

Krista was a well-informed global citizen who loved to share world views. She believed in equality and didn’t see any boundaries. She was a recycling pioneer with a passion for glass jars and reusable bags who had a recycling process so finetuned even someone hugging a tree would stop to take note. She thoughtfully left the world a better place—by teaching us how to live bigger, treat one other better, and be kinder to the planet.

FAMILY

Krista is survived by her adoring husband of eight years, Ulrich “Uli” Gollwitzer (Grosse Pointe Shores, MI); her eldest brother Reid Paxton and wife Cindy (Miroslaw) and children Rachel, Alec (Saline, MI); her youngest brother Craig Paxton and wife Britt (Kindle) and children Emma and Amelia (Manchester, MI); her father-in-law Helmut Gollwitzer (Uffenheim, Germany); sister-in-law Carola and husband Markus Ostermair and children Anna Maria and Christian (Munich, Germany)

Krista was predeceased by her father Bruce Paxton (2006), her mother Edith (Bonfardin) Paxton (2013), her mother-in-law Ulla Gollwitzer (2020), and her beloved cats Diva, Uhura and Houdini.

MEMORIAL

Visitation and ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. Visitation 2-4 p.m., Ceremony 4-5 p.m., and Visitation resumes 5-8 p.m.

Memorial Donations can be made in Krista’s honor to Doctors Without Borders.

For more details: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/grosse-pointe-woods-mi/krista-paxton-11086185

CLOSING

Krista looked and lived like a rockstar, sailing and jet-setting the world—but never letting go of her family and never stopping the process of making new friends until the day she died.

Thank you to Karmanos for years of support during Krista’s ongoing battle with cancer, and thank you to the Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak ICU team who fought for Krista with everything they had.

POEM

A Letter from Heaven

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I’m not here to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes,

Filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time you think of me,

I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I’m right there in your heart.