Friends recall resident's zest, dedication to family, schools Friends recall resident's zest, dedication to family, schools (June 15, 2005)

Palo Alto mother dies in Alameda when vehicle plunges into the bay

by Sue Dremann

ancy Schulz of Palo Alto, known for her passion and ability to get things done, died in a high-speed car crash in Alameda late Saturday night, leaving family and friends stunned and devastated.

Schulz was driving at a high rate of speed on Aughinbaugh Way when her sport-utility vehicle crossed Sea View Parkway and a narrow city park and plunged into San Francisco Bay at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Alameda police. An investigation into the crash is continuing.

Schulz is a former physical therapist who left the profession to raise a family. She is survived by her daughter, Sydney, 14; son, Drew, 9; and her husband, Don Lundgren.

Her death has left a huge hole in the community, friends said through tears. In phone call after call to the Weekly, friends expressed grief over her death and extolled her school and community commitment.

Schulz was instrumental in getting a kiln for the Walter Hays Elementary School arts program, and worked to keep the drama program alive. She was co-president of the parent association at Girls Middle School in Mountain View and volunteered on the site council at Walter Hayes, where Drew is a fourth-grader. A passionate "soccer mom," she volunteered with the Palo Alto Soccer Club.

On International Women's Day, Schulz sponsored the screening of "Iron-Jawed Angels" -- a movie about how women got the right to vote -- at Girls Middle School in Mountain View, where Sydney was a student, according to Margaret Scott, head of the school.

Schulz took a class from the school on a 20-mile bike ride at Sawyer Camp, near Crystal Springs reservoir above San Mateo, Scott recalled -- adding that they got caught in a downpour, "an empowering experience."

"She was a very positive influence. She was always helping girls to be strong by using knowledge and awareness to make good decisions," she used whatever energy she had to volunteer," Scott said.

Schulz loved biking and other physical activities. It was on a bike trip she led on the East Coast where she met her husband, Don Lundgren, founder and CEO of Lundgren Associates of Palo Alto -- a consulting service for venture-funded companies, according to Sally Kadifa, a close friend for 13 years.

"She was warm and empathetic -- clearly a person who reaches out," Kadifa said. "She was a completely devoted mom. We spent endless hours talking about child-developmental issues."

Schulz studied every aspect of whatever topic she became interested in, Kadifa said. "We had to read everything. When we got into a topic, she learned everything about it. We'll miss her very much. She leaves a big hole. All night, I just saw her smile and all the things we did and all the fun we had."

Memorial services are pending.

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