Margaret was my first-grade teacher in 1954-55 and I still remember that class with affection.  Once she (as Sister Vincent) summoned Jerry Randolph and me (and no doubt some others) to a special reading lesson at the convent on a Saturday morning, and several times, since I walked home from school, she invited me to the convent for quick peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich and milk. I loved the attention.

About 2010, on a lark I tracked her down, wrote her, and then went to see her a year later in her home in Marietta. She told me about the students she was tutoring and showed me some of the many gifts she had received upon her retirement from teaching. Her home was full of stuff that she had been given; it was like a shrine. It was obvious that she had hundreds of admirers who cared for her and took care of her. And no wonder: At one point I mentioned that there were 60+ kids in that first grade class with me—I have a famous photo with 56 kids in it, and there must have been some kids absent the day the photo was taken—and I asked her how she handled discipline problems with so many kids in her charge. She looked at me with a puzzled look on her face, thought for a minute, and finally said “Discipline problems??? Oh, I never had any discipline problems—I just loved the kids.” That said everything about her life.

After that we’d write back and forth once or twice a year. I learned of her death when my annual Christmas card to her got returned with a note from one of her admirers. Sad to lose her and hope she continues to prasy for me and my loved ones. But OMG, what a life she led! 


So sorry, Vinny!  I didn’t know how to contact you until a week ago when I found an old piece of paper in my desk with your previous addresss.  We moved since Katrina destroyed almost all of our records in the flooding.  I searched on-line only to find the obit.

You and I were part of a special time teaching in N.O.  Our friendship began when I was a sixth grader at Holy Rosery School.   You were in your twenties then.  

 You were there when I got married.  By the time our son was born, you had resettled in Georgia.  You would have loved to know what a wonderful young man he became!

I was happy to read about the other loving and kind people in your life.  It was what I wanted for you when you left NO on you new adventure.   But  I missed you !

So Rest In Peace,  my friend.  You were such a caring, sensitive person.  I will always remember your smile and sense of humor even when times were “iffy.”  You will always be in my heart!

Margaret Mary, or mama as I called her, was an extraordinary woman and as time passes I find I miss her even more.  We had a lot of fun together and she always made anything we did full of joy and laughter. 
Rest In Peace mama Margaret!!! I love you...

I had the pleasure of being Ms. Margaret's mail carrier for almost 4 years. When I retired from the Post Office, we still kept in touch through mail by sending cards and letters to one another. She and I shared so much, and being from New Orleans is one. I learned so much about life from her and thank God for blessing me to know her. 

Margaret was my last remaining cousin. Margaret's father George and my mother Margaret are brother and sister. Although not close geographically 
(I am in Illinois), and I'm 10 years younger in age, we were always close in our hearts. Margaret always wished she had a sister and asked if she could be mine. So "Sis" is what we called each other.

If anyone was born to teach, it was Margaret. She loved teaching. She loved her students and their families. She loved her fellow teachers and co-workers. She lovingly spoke and wrote of so many of you frequently. 

My last visit with Margaret was when she came up to stay a week with me in June 2015.  We talked, laughed, just enjoyed being together. She thought we'd go out for our meals and was surprised that I cooked! Margaret opened her home to my daughter and son in-law in Sept 2017 when they evacuated Florida during a hurricane. Although worried about their home, both enjoyed their stay with Margaret and meeting some of her friends.

I am so grateful to all of you who so lovingly cooked and cared for Margaret over the years, especially during her last illness. May all of you forever be blessed.

Sincerely,
Corinne Grogan


Margaret, was my my  2nd grade teacher in Bay St Louis, Ms....since  I work for the airlines we have had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii and  Branson and several places. She was my prayer warrior, I kept her forever on her knees saying novenas, I know she will be my special angel in heaven, so sad I can’t talk to you in person, but I will be talking to you a lot. Love you forever, Pam 

Margaret was an amazing woman of faith who touched many lives.  A close friend, mentor, tutor, teacher, pen pal and role model.  She was a part of many families, including a Grandmother of mine.  I am who I am today because of the imprint she left on my life and I will forever be thankful for each minute I had with her.  It gives me peace knowing she is with her heavenly father, an angel in heaven smiling down on us all.

My favorite teacher of any grade, any school. She tutored me through high school math, and was the sole reason I passed. I have thought of her so frequently through the years, and am sorry to see that she is gone, but in the Loving arms of our heavenly father. 
What a beautiful reunion with her beloved Peanut! Love to the family.

Margaret was a dear friend to our family. She taught Amy and Daryl at East Valley School and kept them when we went out of town. We loved her dearly and are heartbroken that she has left us. She is in God’s loving arms now. Thanks be to God for sharing her love and Christian faith with our family. We will remember her forever and will miss her every day,

I have loved Margaret  for 40+ years, feeling like  she was a member of our extended family.  We joked back and forth about a variety of things.  She was a thoughtful, kind, and loving person.  I have many wonderful memories to carry me the rest of my life.

OBITUARY

Margaret M. Schmitz

April 20, 1924 – May 25, 2018

H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel

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