Phyllis Jean Schmidt Fitzgerald's Obituary
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 parents were Volga German immigrants, and Helen Virginia Scully. Growing up, Phyllis was especially close to her grandmother, Helen Chauncey, a descendant of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Phyllis graduated from Parker High School in Chicago in 1956 and initially aspired to be a journalist while attending college in Chicago. After eloping to Las Vegas with Marine officer Eugene Williams, the couple moved to California, where they raised three children: Joseph, Laura (aka Bergen), and Lynda. They eventually divorced, and as a single mother, Phyllis pursued her education, earning a degree in psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Hayward, in 1973.
Phyllis later married William Fitzgerald and moved to Auburn, California, where she worked as a licensed marriage and family counselor while raising her youngest daughter, Lynda. After her second divorce, Phyllis moved to Sacramento, where she married Bud Walmer and worked as a school psychologist at the Dixon Unified School District. After divorcing Bud, she moved to Santa Rosa to be closer to her daughters, Bergen and Lynda, and worked as a private counselor and school psychologist until her retirement.
Phyllis was deeply involved in her community, volunteering at Jack London State Historic Park and the Earle Baum Center of the Blind, among other places. She found great fulfillment in her volunteer work. She discovered the Unitarian Universalists (UU) during the 1970s and remained a devoted member until she died, belonging to several UU women’s and volunteer groups. Phyllis was a dedicated mother and grandmother, and she loved her children and grandchildren deeply. She loved to dance and sing and had a sarcastic wit and effervescent spirit that was infectious to everyone around her.
In 2023, Phyllis moved to Hilo, Hawaii to live with her daughter Lynda and to be closer to her grandson William. She passed unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep after a fun night out with friends. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Lynda; her son, Joseph and wife Jeanene; and her grandchildren, William Duncan, Olivia Ropp, and Mason Williams. Phyllis was preceded in death in 2021 by her beloved daughter, Bergen Williams, well known for her role as Big Alice on the long-running soap opera General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Phyllis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Phyllis?
Share a story where Phyllis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Phyllis you’ll never forget.
How did Phyllis make you smile?