Dolores Lucille Schmidt

Dolores Lucille Cannady Schmidt passed away April 2nd, 2015 at her home in John Knox Village. She was born May 10, 1931, to Charles and Lucille Cannady in Kansas City, Missouri. Dolores graduated from Central High School. She began her successful working career at nineteen. She went on to own her own business, Schmidt Accounting and Tax Service in Kansas City, Missouri. Dolores was one of the first women to break through the glass ceiling of workplace inequality. Dolores is survived by her husband, Gene, her sisters Shirley and Debra and her children Connie, Joe and Brian.

Dolores wanted to express her love for her family and friends, so following are her feelings in her own words:

I met my husband, Gene Schmidt, when we were both employed at Greiner Fifield, a lithographing company. We have been married over fifty-two loving, perfect years. We have three loving, devoted children: Connie, Joe and Brian Schmidt.

We have six grandchildren, Jeannette Giangrosso, Sarah Ramirez, Scott and Casey Bultemeier, and Blake and Brook Schmidt. Scott and Casey, I fondly remember each year’s Christmas pageants when you were both very believable shepherds. Sarah, I hope you know how very much I’ve always loved you.

My very favorite birthday celebration was when my special granddaughter, Jeannette and her two sons, Gio and Nicco, took me to Lego Land, the Aquarium and Fritz’s Restaurant where the train delivered our lunch. Thanks Gio and Nicco for all our fun times, especially playing games. I have two other special grandchildren, Blake and Brook Schmidt. Blake, I really enjoyed making up your “Blake stories.” To both of you, Blake and Brook, I really enjoyed our annual traditions, our trips to Powell Gardens, making our gingerbread houses and playing games. Two other wonderful grandchildren are Kurt and Noah. Kurt, Noah, I really liked all of our times together, birthdays, holidays, especially the dinners at Ameristar we shared. Thanks to all of you for visiting me so often.

Connie, thank you for all of the time you have spent with me and dad, giving up all your vacation time. I’m sorry I wasn’t always there to help you; I wish I would have known you needed me. You have always been a fantastic mother who raised two Eagle Scouts. I pray your sons appreciate you.

Joe, thanks for all the years you worked for me in my business; it really helped me a lot. Thank you too for all of the care you have given me during my illness.

Brian, my baby, we had so many fun times together. I especially liked teaching you Crossup Poker when you were only four years old. I guess I was preparing us for our crap shooting days in Vegas. Remember the time at MGM when we were doing so well, they closed the table on us!

I have three siblings: one brother, Charles D. Cannady Jr., and two sisters Shirley Jean Vernon and Debra Sue Belt, who is more like a daughter to me.

I’ve also been blessed with my special “chosen family.” There is nothing you all wouldn’t do for me: sit with me, pray for me, and run errands for me. I love you all with all my heart and soul. Jan Campbell, Di Wilks, Anna Marie England, Pat Wells, Anna Jones, Kathi and Quinn Gross, who were married on my birthday, and Dave Locklear, I feel like a mother to you all.

Last, thanks to my family and friends for attending my last very special birthday celebration Saturday, March 28, 2015. I’m so glad that I got the wonderful opportunity to say goodbye to each of you.

Friends are encouraged to join her family at her celebration of life which will be held at the Silent Unity Chapel at Unity Village April 25, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Bloch Cancer Center, University of Kansas Hospital. Please mail to 2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 302, Westwood, KS 66205 or you may give on-line at https://giving.kumed.com.