Annette Gilmartin Schultz died peacefully in her sleep, holding hands with her husband John, the love of her life, on August 30, 2025. She was a devoted wife and mother, and cared deeply for her home in Moretown, Vermont, where she built a life full of community, hospitality, and adventure.
Annette Marie Gilmartin was born in Albany, NY, on April 20, 1942, to James Joseph Gilmartin and Marie Couture Gilmartin. Annette was raised in an Irish-Catholic family. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names in 1960, and Mildred Elley Business School in 1961. Her summers were spent with family in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, where she loved passing time on West Beach.
In her early 20s, while she was working in Albany City Planning Department, Annette discovered the Mad River Valley on ski trips to Mad River Glen with coworkers and the Sitzmarker Ski Club. It was there that she fell in love – with Vermont and John Schultz. As the story goes, she was riding the iconic single chair, waving to a friend skiing below. John, who happened to be with that friend, looked up, smiled, and waved back. That was the beginning of a love story that spanned more than 50 years.
Leaving Albany behind, Annette headed to the Mad River Valley in 1970 and worked at the Mad River Barn and in the Mad River Ski School. After getting married in 1971, Annette and John worked together in the Appalachian Mountain Club Huts – Carter Notch in 1971, and Lonesome Lake in 1972 – before settling down in the heart of Moretown Village. There, they bought and restored an old farmhouse with the help of friends and family. The house would serve many purposes over the years – home, ski academy, bed-and-breakfast – and always as a place of warmth and welcome.
Annette was one of the founding forces behind the Mad River Valley School (now Green Mountain Valley School), a ski racing academy that spent five formative years in their Moretown farmhouse. Known affectionately as “KitchAnnette,” she cooked and cared for the students with the same dedication and energy she was known for for years to come. Later, she turned the home into a beloved bed-and-breakfast, which she ran for over 25 years. Thousands of guests came through her doors, many returning year after year, and becoming lifelong friends.
Beyond her dedication to others, Annette had a love of nature and being outdoors. In the winter, she loved to ski at her beloved Mad River Glen, and to cross-country ski in Vermont’s magical winter woods. In the summer, she loved hiking, and spent many wonderful hours exploring the hills and hidden springs behind her home. She built beautiful vegetable and flower gardens at her home.
Annette was a tough bird – surviving three breast cancers, two traumatic brain injuries, seizures, arthritis, and more orthopedic mishaps than most could count.
Annette is survived by her husband, John Schultz; her daughters, Megan Schultz and Katie Seipel; her son-in-law, Timothy Seipel; and three granddaughters: Julia, Marlies, and Mirjam.
She also leaves behind a community of friends, former students, guests, and neighbors who will remember her for her grit, generosity, humor, and the many ways she brought people together – from pancake breakfasts to Christmas Eve cocktail parties.
A celebration of Annette’s life will be held at the Schultz home in Moretown Village on October 18 (time and details to be announced later.) All are welcome to come share memories, stories, and laughter in honor of Annette.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider a donation in Annette’s name to The Academy of the Holy Names, Green Mountain Valley School, or Stark Mountain Foundation.
