Helene Catherine Schmitt

A lifelong Staten Islander who was devoted to teaching and loved learning, Helene died in the late evening hours of April 5, 2020 at Richmond University Medical Center.

Helene, who grew up in Concord, the daughter of John Peter Massey and Helene (Helen) Elisabeth Schenkel, was born on May 12, 1934 in Staten Island. She graduated from New Drop High School and Wagner College, earning a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree. Helene later attended Columbia University’s Teachers College for post graduate studies.

As a dedicated teacher with the New York City Board of Education, Helene taught grades 3 through 8 at various times, mostly teaching 3rd and 4th grade at PS3 and PS1.

She was a devoted wife for 61 years to her late husband, Andrew Schmitt, Jr.

They married on July 12, 1958 in Trinity Lutheran Church in Stapleton, Staten Island. Helene and her husband Andrew were world travelers. They traveled all throughout the US, Europe, South America, and as far as Antarctica and China.

As a longtime volunteer with the Eger Auxiliary, Helene made and donated hand-crocheted items for sale at the Eger Lutheran Homes’ Holiday Fair.

Helene was a voracious reader, loved learning, and could complete crossword puzzles like others would write a letter. She had a keen interest in etymology including onomastics, having studied Latin and French and some German. Helene was a wealth of knowledge to her family’s efforts to learn about their family history.

In addition to her late husband who passed away 6 months ago, Helene was predeceased by her brothers, John Martin Massey and Daniel Henry Massey.

Helene is survived by her son Andrew Schmitt III, daughter-in-law, Gonca Latif-Schmitt and granddaughters, Yasemin Catherine and Melisa Elizabeth.

Due to current COVID-19 pandemic, a private graveside service will be held for the family at Moravian Cemetery, and a public memorial service celebrating Helene’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Wagner College.