Zita Gildea Schmiedel of Danbury, CT daughter of the late Edward J. and Zita (O’Hara) Gildea died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 91, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late J. Roger Schmiedel for 57 years.
She attended St. Peter School, the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, Milford, CT and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Economics from Saint Joseph College (now University), West Hartford, CT. Zita was employed in the Danbury office of Southern New England Telephone Co. as a service representative, observer, instructor, and business office supervisor.
Leaving work in the early sixties to care for her growing family, Zita also volunteered at St. Peter Parish as a CCD teacher and in the St. Peter Parish thrift shop. In the early nineties, she returned to the workforce as a tax preparer with Woodruff T. Holland and Oakcrest Accounting.
Zita is survived by her six children: Mary Schmiedel of Arlington, VA, Zita Redford and George of Canton, Jay and Terrie Schmiedel of Middlebury, Paul and Jean Schmiedel of North Andover, MA, Jane Rossomando and Rob of Sandy Hook, and Brian and Lucy Schmiedel of Eastchester, NY. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, George, Zita, and Zachary Redford, Traci, Doug, and Lisa Schmiedel, Colleen Schmiedel, Jessica, Nicholas, and Joseph Rossomando, and Adelyn, Mia, and James Schmiedel, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by two sons, an infant, Edward, and Billy Schmiedel as well as her brother and sister, William A. and Mary A. Gildea.
The Schmiedel family sincerely thanks the staff of Nuvance Health Caregivers at Home and ComForCare Home Care for the care and attention provided to Zita. They are grateful to Ken, Zita’s last caregiver, as she provided exceptional care in her final weeks.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 at St. Peter Church, Danbury, CT. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.
Friends will be received from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Billy Schmiedel Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, CT 06811
