Drucilla Schmieder

Retired teacher, author, inventor, realtor, humanitarian, translator, loving wife and mother Drucilla Kilpatrick Schmieder passes on at 92. The longtime Tucson resident passed peacefully on February 4th. She is survived by four children Joseph (Nancy), Charles (Kim), Deede (Dean), and Michael (Brendi); 10 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren with two more on the way. Drucilla was born on February 18, 1929 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. She was raised in El Paso, Texas, and was a member of her H.S. tennis team. Drucilla graduated with a B.S. in Education and Minor in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. She married her favorite dancing partner Morris Leigh Schmieder in 1954. She and “Sweet Moe”, who was an officer in the US Army at the time, transferred to Weisbaden, Germany, where they became first-time parents. The family rejoined civilian life eventually putting down roots in Tucson in 1957. Drucilla taught English and Spanish. She co-authored a book for tourists traveling to Mexico with her sister Betty. She was issued a patent for developing a children’s bilingual teaching game. The couple’s investment properties helped fund a second home in Puerto, Penasco, Mexico, where Drucilla found her happy place. Drucilla had more interests than most. When she wasn’t playing the piano, reading, watching sports (tennis was her favorite) or sewing clothes, curtains and quilts, she volunteered for Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona and served on the board of Aviva Children’s Services. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Her wisdom, practicality, laid back free spirit, wit, sense of humor like none other, and always present willingness to lend an ear to whomever in need of counsel will be missed dearly. And to this she would say, “Asi Es La Vida!”