Mary Schmidt
Born raised and starting a family in NYC my parents decided to seek a better life in California in 1960. As a family of 6 all of our belongings were consolidated into a 25' travel trailer and off we went to LA. Family circumstances forced our return to NY where my father was unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer. Widowed in 1963 with 4 young children ages 3 - 8 yrs old no home of our own no car no job and few resources my mother somehow found the strength to work full time purchase a home near my grandparents in Queens and enroll the 4 of us in parochial school. In 1970 she decided to relocate 2500 miles from all she knew to start a new life in a climate that was healthier for my asthmatic sister. After relocating to Tucson AZ she found full-time employment bought a home furnished it learned to drive bought a car and got 4 children enrolled in school...all in about 60 days. She has been retired now for 18 years from the Southern AZ Mental Health Center where she worked for 22 years as the Executive Secretary to the Director. She continues to live independently devoting most of her time to her church and family. My mother's courage tenacity compassion and love have inspired all that have known her and we wish to honor her in this her 80th year.