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Helen Jacquelyn “Jackie” Schmidt, 84, of Fredericksburg passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at her home.
Jackie grew up in the borough of Nanty Glo, a small coal mining town in central Pennsylvania. Being an only child, her cousins and friends became like siblings. Four of them she called her “Forever Friends” – Clara, Marie, Irene, and Kae. After graduating from Nanty Glo High School at age 18, Jackie moved to Harrisburg, PA to meet up with Marie and take the Civil Service Test. That’s how they both landed in typing pool jobs in Washington, D.C.
D.C. is where Jackie met and married her “best buddy,” Jerry, on May 18, 1957, who at that time was serving in the United States Marine Corps. Although an honor, being a Marine Corps wife requires a certain fortitude to meet the demands of moving often for deployments, sudden absences, and making do on a limited budget while raising six children. Jackie was up for the challenges, making lifelong friends up and down the east coast.
Jackie and Jerry and their six children settled in Spotsylvania, VA in 1974, and she lived in the same home for 47 years. Moving into one of the first houses in a new neighborhood, Jackie got to know and befriend everyone. This is how she met her dear friend, Rose, and her family with whom many cookouts, camping trips, and vacations were enjoyed together. Once the kids were older, Jackie started work as the Guidance Secretary at Spotsylvania High School, where she stayed for 20 years. She was part of the transition from paper scheduling to computer scheduling – quite the project! Jackie then added co-workers and students to her ever-growing list of friends.
Family was everything to Jackie. She created a foundation for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that is rich in family tradition. No matter what the occasion, Jackie loved to find the perfect card, and she would search until she did! “Pierogi-Fest” was a multigenerational event in November that created the family’s Christmas Eve dinner each year. Baking special recipes from scratch for the Christmas cookie trays began in early December. And no one can forget the special cardamom bread “biscuit” that was the perfect complement to morning coffee all year long.
Jackie’s ability to pivot with the unpredictability of life served her well. She would tell you herself that she was practical and direct, and yet she found a way to soften her delivery. Jackie was a learner, a listener, a giver, and wanted to help, yet she also maintained good boundaries so one could also help oneself. She was active and enjoyed traveling. Road trips with a paper map to see the whole route were a staple in her travel case. Jackie’s curiosity kept her going. She loved to know how things worked or how things were made.
Jackie lived a very strong Catholic faith every day with prayers to St. Anne and St. Theresa, and at 3:00 PM you would find her saying her rosary. She had a special rosary for car trips, and when she couldn’t physically attend church during the pandemic, she would attend virtual Mass on her computer. No need to ask Jackie for prayers, as she was always asking for peace and God’s grace to those whom she believed needed it.
Survivors include her six children, Jeff Schmidt (Billie Jo), Joe Schmidt (Sharon), John Schmidt (Ed), Janice Schmidt, Jeanne Schmidt, and Jerry Schmidt (Michele); ten grandchildren, Josh Schmidt (Jennifer), Alicia Embrey (Lee), Donnie Plaugher, Lindsey Schwartz (John), Mathew Schmidt (Ashley), Eric Schmidt (Alli), David Hall, Cameron Marrs, Meghan Schmidt, and Lauren Schmidt; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Karen Karwowski, Joan Schmidt and Winnie Schmidt; numerous cousins; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband and “best buddy,” Gerald “Jerry” Schmidt; and parents John and Helen Kohute.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 3 at St. Jude Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Quantico National Cemetery. At the conclusion of services, a reception will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the church.
The funeral Mass will be streamed online for those who are unable to attend:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVg8IrJc3CzXExt8I5cO5eQ
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or to a charity of one's choice.