Obituary of Gail Marie Schmidt

Gail Marie Schmidt (neé Anderson) passed away to the sound of family chatter, a live-streamed volleyball game, and the radio playing CBC, at the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital on October 13, 2024 at the age of 80 years.

 

Gail was born to Matilda and Fred Anderson in Sexsmith, AB on July 21, 1944. She moved to Grande Prairie in 1950 where she graduated high school and went on to attend the University of Alberta. As a swim team member there, Gail championed education and athletics, as she would for the rest of her life. In 1965, she was one of only two females to graduate from the U of A with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Honors Chemistry.

 

In the summer of 1964, Gail first met Gernot (Gary) Schmidt while she was working as a lifeguard in Grande Prairie: her love for swimming led to her meeting the man with whom she would happily spend the next 60 years of her life. They married on June 18, 1966, and bought their first house in Beaverlodge shortly thereafter. She gave birth to their first three children, Michael, Gregory, and Karin while living in Beaverlodge, before moving to their farm outside of town in 1974 where they would add three more children to the family. The births of Christopher, Carmen, and Gina would require a large addition to the old farmhouse and create the home where she and Gary lived for the rest of her life.

 

Gail began teaching after graduation and worked her entire career at Beaverlodge Regional High School. For 42 years, she taught chemistry to generations of BRHS students and was a wonderful mentor and colleague to countless teachers. Even until her final days, she was still excited to discuss Hess’s Law or to teach her grandchildren how to balance equations. Beyond being a life-long supporter of school sports, Gail also coached basketball in her early years of teaching, and school and club badminton teams for over a decade.

 

Gail continued to be an avid swimmer throughout her life and enjoyed reading, weaving, and ‘stirring the pot’ at morning coffee. She was extremely passionate and proud about watching her children and grandchildren play a variety of sports. Throughout the years, Gail and Gary travelled the world watching their children play volleyball and hockey.

 

A true joy for Gail throughout her life was being surrounded by her loved ones and the inevitable chaos and laughter that came with those gatherings. The home that she and Gary created has forever been a welcoming gathering place for friends of her children, and the hub for her grandchildren to hang out.

 

Gail is survived by her husband Gary; her siblings: Dale and Gerry; her children: Greg (Christa) Schmidt, Karin (Michael) Rourke, Chris (Julie) Schmidt, Carmen (Geoff) Emslie, and Gina Schmidt; and grandchildren: Maya, Charlotte, Jane, Natalie, Elliott, Owen, Henry, Emilie, Kai, Max, Alida, Simon, and Lewis.

 

Gail is predeceased by her parents Tillie and Fred, her sister Arlene, and her son, Michael.

 

A special thank you to Dr. Trien Van, Dr Bobby Crowe, Rita Sawchuk, and the staff at the Beaverlodge Hospital for their compassionate attention and care during her battle with cancer.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) or the Beaverlodge Regional High School volleyball teams (Box 700, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0).  

 

Details about a Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.

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