August 25, 1935 - July 14, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Thelma Schmidt died July 14, 2024, after a long and full life, leaving two children - Melva (Marvin Herman) and Donald (Kevin Huey), and a host of grandchildren, great-children, and three great-grandchildren.
Born in Victoria to Edith Ann (Dunnett) and Donald Stewart she grew up there and, after graduating from high school attended Normal School (yes, that's what they called teacher training in those days!) and upon completion went at the age of 19 to Barriere to teach in a two-room school. There she met Mel Schmidt and after numerous trips to hockey games and dances in Kamloops, they married on Mum's 20th birthday.
They lived a couple of years in the North Thompson area, where Melva was born, and then relocated to the island in 1959 - first to Victoria (where Donald was born), and then to Crofton where they lived for over 40 years. After retirement, they returned to Barriere.
Mum loved swimming in the ocean, going for long walks with one of her various dogs, camping (the more obscure the place, the better), hockey games, a glass of beer, and politics. She worked tirelessly as a volunteer with United Church thrift shops in Chemainus and Barriere, with the NDP whenever and wherever she could, and with the Crofton Community Centre.
When various grandchildren were brought into the family Mum and Dad welcomed them with wide-open hearts and loved them all unconditionally. Even as her eyesight and mobility failed her in recent years, she still kept a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She squeezed all she could out of life and lived her faith to the utmost.
No service is planned, as were her wishes, but her remains will be scattered at Cordova Bay where she spent her summers growing up - a place that was so very dear to her heart.
Those who wish are invited to make a donation in her memory to either the Church of St Paul (PO Box 421, Barriere, BC, V0E 1E0) or to the BC NDP (www.bcndp.ca).