Barbara Mae Schmit

Barbara Mae Schmit, 69, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away Friday, May 22, 2009 at Balfour Retirement Center in Louisville, Colorado.Barbara was born August 28, 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Carl and Josephine (Albrecht) Sonnenberg. She graduated from Marquette University and became a Registered Dental Hygienist. On July 13, 1963, she married James H. Schmit in Milwaukee. They moved to Colorado in 1965.Barbara was the founder and owner of Sunnyhill Kennels. She bred, raised and trained many rare breed dogs, finally settling on the Portuguese Water Dog (PWD). As a pioneer in the PWD world she helped bring this breed back from near extinction. Through a thorough understanding of genetics she bred for temperament and good health, producing multiple best-in-show winners in the United States and internationally. Her down line has successfully competed in obedience, agility, water and rally events. She was invited to compete at the Eukanuba Dog Show and received numerous awards of merit from the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. Her contributions will continue to have a major influence on the future of the breed.Surviving are her son, Geoffrey J. Schmit, artist in New York City; daughter, Cara Jo Schmit, R.N. in San Diego, California; and three sisters, Carla (Gerald) Dew of Brookfield, Wisconsin, Eva (Earl) Peychal of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Donna Weber (the late Dale Weber) of Fullerton, California.Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Schmit, on March 30, 2006.Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Howe Mortuary and Cremation Services, Longmont.A Celebration of Life and Open House will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2009, at 8130 Captain Lane, Longmont.Contributions may be made to the Barbara M. Schmit Memorial Fund, c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St., Longmont, CO 80501.