Obituary of Marie Louise Schmidt

 Marie Louise Schmidt

(July 8, 1958 - January 19, 2024)

Marie Louise Schmidt was born July 8, 1958, in Dodsland, Saskatchewan to John Schmidt and Evelyn Irene (nee: Maxwell). She passed away suddenly on January 19, 2024, in Camrose, Alberta at the age of 65. Marie made a “champagne exit” when she did not wake up from her afternoon nap.

In 1958 children with Downs Syndrome were a tragedy. Marie’s parents did everything in their capacity to enrich her life. This included spending 3 winters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho when she was very young. There they sought the advice of a recommended Osteopath in doing early intervention. Marie attended schools in Dodsland, Kindersley, Biggar, and Saskatoon, after which she went to Cosmopolitan Workshop. She and her parents relocated to Camrose in 1999 to be closer to her sister and family.

Despite her deficits, she was a complex lady. She had so many things in her life that gave her joy. 

In no particular order:

Food:  Vanilla Milkshakes, Coke, Coffee, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chinese food

Music: Bobby Sherman, Keith Partridge (David Cassidy), and Ricky Martin - all of whom she was going to marry at one time or another.

The Partridge Family, ABBA, and The Monkees Movies; Sound of Music, Grease, and WWF were all favourites.

Painted fingernails and “long hair”; purple, lime green, and shiny shirts; lions and tigers, and big quiet dogs (not small wiggly ones)

Playing ball, joking around, and arm wrestling, The Boston Bruins, babies and Bibles (these wore out continually due to her feathering the pages); stuffed Piggy and Baby. The staff had to be quick when she would attempt to feed her baby in the most natural way! Nobody is sure where she picked up this idea. Maybe natural instincts are deeper than we think!!

Marie did have a quick whit! And when she was “on”, she could be very funny and endearing. Some of her favourite sayings were: “They won’t listen”, “Oh come on”, “Thank you my friend”, “Don’t even”, “So, how about the Boston Bruins?”, “Take me out to the Ballgame”, and “I’m gonna tell the Nurse!”. We never knew who the nurse was but it was not her sister!

She loved her work at Centra Cam very much. Going to Centra Cam to “paper sort”, attend the parties, have friends, and be supported by the wonderful staff. It was here that she was in her element for so many years. She loved going to work until she didn’t, which led to her retirement.

Her 25 years of residential support with C.A.F.C.L. were her “golden years”. Staff and housemates came and went. Each one had a special place in her life. Teams 7 & 8 became her family.  New staff had to earn her trust and love! I credit her longevity to the incredible care she received all those years! The staff went above and beyond to care for her, both physically and mentally. They helped her to attain her high level of socialization. She was able to do things that, at one point, would not have been considered possible due to her limitations.

Marie did have a few dislikes and she had no problem communicating these to those around her. She learned how to swear during her school years in Biggar and could use each and every word with complete accuracy and conviction. There was no forewarning of when these would come out, much to the consternation of her parents and others. More than once, she called her much loved Dr. Slabbert one of these fine terms! His humour and laughter in this has led to many chuckles and memories. Thankfully, she was taught to say “swear word” instead!

Marie had an uncanny way of catching an unwary person, who was in her personal space, with a superb “right hook”. More than one person was at the end of the hyper speed blow! Before that, as a kid, she was superb with her fingernails and inflicting “bloodletting” injuries! Thankfully her good moods far surpassed the bad!

Marie is survived by her sister Elizabeth (Liz) Ann Rolf (nee Schmidt) and Robert (Rob) Rolf and their children Jonathan Rolf (Heather Slack) and their children Colby Slack, and Callum Rolf; Michael (Angeline Lorente) Rolf and their children Miya, Ayla, and Hinley; Annamarie (Ryan) Edwards and their children Willa and Henrik; Keeley (Braden) Appleby and their children Roscoe and Adrian; and Katrina Rolf and fiancé Gavyn Backus.

Marie was predeceased by her parents John and Evelyn Schmidt.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Centra Cam, C.A.F.C.L., EMS, City police, Burgars Funeral Home, Dr. W.H. Slabbert and his nurse Laurel at the Smith Clinic, and so many more. Everyone who contributed to the enhancement of Marie’s life is greatly appreciated.

A time for visitation was held Thursday, January 25 from 1:30 p.m. - 03:00 p.m. at the Burgar Memorial Chapel 4817 - 51 Avenue, Camrose.

Following the visitation, a committal service took place at 3:15 p.m., at the Camrose Valleyview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Marie's memory may be made to Centra Cam or Camrose Association For Community Living (CAFCL).