Dee was born in Kenmore New York to Vincent and Joyce Daigler on September 8, 1945. The family of 6 included brothers Edward “Dean” of Florida, Douglas, formerly of Hingham, MA and David Daigler of Portland, ME. Dee grew up in Kenmore, attending Mount St. Mary’s and Kenmore East High School. She grew up spending summers with extended family and friends on Burnaby Bay, near Port Colborne, Ontario. Joyce and Dee were active in Campfire Girls until she left for Marygrove College in Detroit MI. where she majored in home economics and fashion. It’s there she met Peter Schmitt, also of Kenmore, NY. They married in 1968 and had 2 children, Peter and Lisa Schmitt. Dee lived and worked in the Detroit area until moving to Cape Elizabeth in 1992, where she worked for at Ram Trust and Banknorth NA as a contract manager. Dee was always ready to try new challenges and body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean was one of her joys. Dee's Catholic faith was very important to her and she lived it through her service to the Church. She was a Eucharistic Minister who led the Nursing Home Ministry in her Parish. Dee had recently completed a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes. Dee was a great friend, best known as a dedicated mom and loving grandma of 5. Dee's spirit was reflected through her expressive eyes and genuine smile. Her brownies were legendary.
Dee is survived by both of her children, her brothers Dean and David and their families. Her son Peter Schmitt, his wife Lynn and their children David and Lauren Schmitt reside in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Her daughter Lisa Pratt, her husband, Mike and their boys Mikey, Dougie and Rocky Pratt live in Manchester, MA. Dee’s brother David Daigler and his wife Karen reside in Portland, Maine. Dean Daigler resides in Sarasota, Florida. Dee is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, Coley, Michael, Alicia, Elizabeth, Danny, Garret, Remy, Meegan, and T.J live and work around the country with their families. Dee is predeceased by her parents and her brother Douglas.
The family invites friends to visiting hours from 9:30am to 10:50am at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth, Maine. A mass of Christian Burial will follow the visiting hours at 11:00am, also at Holy Martyrs Church on Thursday December 20th. You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
The family would like to thank Dee’s many friends who have visited and prayed for her over the past few months, who have given us an example of what it means to be true friends. “There are friends, there is family and then there are friends who become family.” Dee will be profoundly missed by all of us.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Dee Schmitt to the Parish of the Holy Eucharist, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105.
