Ethelyn Schreiber

Lyn Schreiber was a remarkable woman, who lived a long and remarkable life, a life so full of beauty, talent and grace. Lyn was a woman who saw the beauty in everything around her, which she captured so colorfully on canvas. She faced her share of heartache in her lifetime, yet it only inspired her to make a greater difference in the world around her, just as she did to all who knew her.

Lyn's story began on a cool fall day in 1907, as the winds whipped off Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. On October 3, 1907, Elmer and Anna Sperlin celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Ethelyn.

Lyn was one of three children in the family's suburban Blue Island home, where she was raised along with her sister Glenda and her brother Elmer. When she was a young woman, she began studying art at a private school in Chicago, and showed a natural talent for painting. Her talents led her to study at the Norton Museum in Florida, as well as in Paris, though she never became a serious painter until she became a grandmother!

Lyn also met a wonderful man named Paul Schreiber, and she quickly fell in love with the handsome attorney. The two were married, beginning so many memorable years together, years so fulfilled by the beautiful family they shared. Lyn and Paul were blessed with two terrific sons, Thomas and Paul, who brought their lives so much beauty and joy.

Lyn and Paul had a wonderful life together, and when she wasn't painting, Lyn enjoyed tending to her beautiful garden, listening to her classical music (particularly Beethoven and Chopin), cooking, hunting, fishing, or playing golf!

Lyn and Paul moved to Fennville, Michigan in 1974, where she opened her own Lyn's Art Gallery. Another location later opened in Holland, as well, becoming a beloved fixture for more than 30 years. She and Paul loved the area, and joined the Holland Country Club and Clearbrook Country Club, and Lyn was a member of the Holland Arts Council and Holland Garden Club, too. The couple wintered in Stuart, Florida, where Lyn also won many awards for her art.

Tragedy struck the family in 1991, when Lyn's son Thomas died of cancer in 1991. Lyn was devastated, yet determined to make a difference. She created the Schreiber Foundation for Cancer Research, and began donating 100 percent of her gallery's proceeds to battling the disease.

Lyn and Paul moved to Holland from Fennville in 1995, though Paul sadly died the following year, after so many wonderful years together. Lyn was dealt another loss in 2004, when her son Paul died. On Wednesday, February 28, 2007, Lyn sadly died at her home, at the age of 99.

Lyn was a remarkable woman, of such beauty, talent and grace. She lived a long and full life, a life that made such a difference to everyone around her. Her legacy lives on today in the foundation she created, and the family she loved more than anything. She will be greatly missed.

Lyn is survived by five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 1996, sons, Thomas in 1991 and Paul in 2004, a sister Glenda and a brother Elmer. The family will receive friends Friday from 5-8 P.M at the Mulder Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St. Holland. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M Saturday at the All Saints Episcopal Church of Saugatuck, 252 Church St. Saugatuck. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schreiber Foundation for Cancer Research. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of her, or to sign the online guestbook.