Mrs. Mae Schmidt

Mae Schmidt was known as many things to many people: Mamie, sister, mom, Mamo, wife, friend, and companion. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, she will be remembered as a giver. She was the daughter of John and Constance Bergara and grew up in Santa Clara and Oakland. From the beginning of her life until the end her sisters, Helen, Marie, and Dorothy showered her with genuine unconditional love. The family bond was extremely strong among Mae, her parents and siblings.

As a young girl, she had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. However, to Mae, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends and family. Mae and her sisters loved to roller skate and dance.

Mae was born and raised as a Roman Catholic. Her faith was important to her throughout her whole life and this was evident in the symbols she kept around her. Statues of St. Jude were seen throughout her home as well as guardian angel pins on her sweaters. St. Jude was the saint those turned to when all hope was lost, and angels protect and guide. These religious symbols reflected Mae’s empathetic and caring nature. Everyone knew they could turn to Mae with their troubles and concerns and that she would love and support them no matter what.

A typical teenager, Mae had a happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. She graduated from Castlemont High in Oakland in 1943. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Mae's memorable achievements included being the best in her class at typing and shorthand.

Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew, Mae enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during her lifetime. While growing up, some of her closest friends were Mary and Stella Klechen; although, her sisters were her lifelong best friends.

Mae enjoyed a rewarding career as a secretary. Showing a strong work ethic, she worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. She was employed by the Oakland Title Company right out of high school and then went back to work at Gerber baby food after taking time off to raise her children. She retired from Gerber baby food in 1984. Mae was always highly regarded by her coworkers and supervisors.

It was through her sister Marie that Mae met her first husband, Frank Sparaco. After a year of dating, Frank and Mae were married amongst their family and friends. As a young wife, Mae was committed to making her new family happy. Mae was blessed with three sons, Ricky, Kenny, and Timmy. She worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. It has been through her children and grandchildren that Mae passed on the love and traditions of family.

After the dissolution of her first marriage and time on her own to raise her three boys, Mae found her lifelong companion in her friend and coworker, Bob Schmidt. Bob and Mae married in Reno and enjoyed a happy marriage of camping, dancing and occasional trips to casinos.

Mae enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She took great pride in her home and was known to have an incredible green thumb in her garden. She was an avid bowler up until the age of 78 as well as an elegant dancer. Mae was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following the Oakland A’s.

Mae passed away on May 4, 2008 at Oakdale Heights Retirement Home in San Leandro. She had lived a very healthy life up until the age of 79 when, over the course of three years, she experienced a series of debilitating strokes as well as a broken hip and ultimately succumbed to vascular disease. She is survived by her sons, Kenny and Timmy as well as her sisters, Marie, Helen and Dorothy. She left four grandchildren, Nicole, Michael, Travis and Jack.

Simply stated, Mae was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Mae leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Mae Schmidt.