Birth date: May 2, 1938 Death date: Sep 28, 2024
Phyllis Jean Schmidt Fitzgerald passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2024, in Hilo, Hawaii, at the age of 86. Born on May 2, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, Phyllis was the daughter of John Henry “Hank” Schmidt, whose Read Obituary
I met Phyllis when I joined a women’s group at the UU Congregation in Santa Rosa, CA in 2013. She was warm and insightful, and I always think of her with a smile on her face. Of course, she talked about her daughters a lot, and it was evident they were a big part of her life. I’m so glad she got to spend her last couple of years in Hawaii close to Lynda and William.
Hi Lynda, I will always remember your mom as she shared her expertise about ragweed. Her attempts to discipline us with her infamous lectures, as we sat and listened. Refraining from laughing. She will be missed!
Phyllis and I worked together for Dixon schools for many years. She became a dear friend to my family and we spent many fun times together but one of my favorite memories was the 3 summers we enjoyed the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Held at the time on the Westmont College campus in Montecito, we shared a dorm room and experienced the college life neither of had before - both of us having attended college while working and raising families. We loved attending writing classes- no grades, no pressure, wandering the beautiful grounds, and enjoying a wonderful social life for the duration . No responsibilities, and great food ! Neither Of us wrote the ‘great American novel’ but we sure had fun trying ! I will always miss my gal Pal !
I love this picture of my mother Phyllis. It’s from her senior high school yearbook.
I met Lynda's mom briefly when she and Lynda came to carry me out of a lockdown from a hurricane. They piled all my food and suitcases in the back seat with "mom" holding it all together. Travelling down the highway from Leilani to Hilo, we talked the power of spirit and our connections with the Unitarian Church being so inclusive, and living a life that is guided by spirit. I could tell in her days she was a wild woman, and a smart and loving one for sure.
