Magdalena "Myda" Schmidt

Myda passed away from late stage Parkinson’s disease, at Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody on March 10, 2025, in the presence of her family members. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Uwe, son Andrey and daughter Liana; siblings: Elizabeth Eakin, Jim Eakin, Chris Eakin, Inger Marie Eakin; nieces: Megan (Wiebe) Deeth, Dana (Wiebe) Thorne; and nephews: Simon Wiebe, Kyle Eakin, Bruce Eakin, Ben Eakin and Nick Eakin.

Myda was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but grew up in North Delta, BC, where her parents settled after serving in the Canadian Airforce.

She showed an interest in drawing, painting and music at a young age. This continued during her high school years, when she also participated in team sports and student government. She received many awards for excellence in academics, sports, and citizenship. After high school, Myda graduated with a Bachelor of Education–Secondary degree in mathematics and art at UBC. She began her teaching career at Len Shepherd Junior High School in Surrey, where she taught mathematics.

Myda Eakin and Uwe Schmidt wedded in 1972. Uwe was a geology student at UBC when they met 4 years earlier. The married couple lived in Burnaby for a while before having a house built in Port Moody in 1974. The move to their new home also was an opportunity for Myda to accept an art teaching position at George Pearkes Junior High School in Port Coquitlam.

She took time off to raise two children. Later, as the children entered school, she recommenced her teaching career at Sir Charles Tupper Senior Secondary School in Vancouver, where she taught math and computer science. She retired from this position in 1995.

The retirement years rekindled her interest in art, focusing on life drawing and acrylic painting. Her favorite subjects included portraits, landscapes, boats, still life, flowers and other plants. She joined the Port Moody Art Association and Suite E life drawing group. She attended numerous art and painting seminars over these years but considered the challenges of life drawing to be the foundation for improving her skills. She was also an active member in these organizations and served as President of the Suite E group for many years.

Her paintings were shown at the Port Moody Art Association exhibits, Place des Arts, in Coquitlam and the Federation of Canadian Artists, on Granville Island. She was accepted by The Federation of Canadian Artists and awarded “The Title of Associate Signature Status” AFCA in 2014. One of her paintings submitted for adjudication for this designation received an “Award of Excellence” in the Human Figure Show in 2011.

She was an avid seamstress, often modifying patterns or designing her own clothing.

For over forty years, she, her husband and close friends enjoyed attending operas and live theatre performances. Vacations on the Hawaiian island of Kauai were also highlights in her life.

She will be remembered and missed by family, friends and the art community.