Obituary of Helene T. Schmidlin
Helene "Terry" Teresa (McDonald) Schmidlin, age 88, of Pittsford, NY passed away Thursday evening, January 23rd in her home, surrounded by family members. She was born in Providence, RI on November 24th, 1931 to Charles Henry and Helene Victorine (Marnane) McDonald, the eldest of 5 children. She was raised in Westboro, MA where her father was the Postmaster General.
Terry earned her bachelor’s degree from Framingham State Teacher’s College in 1953 and master’s degree from Worcester State Teacher’s College in 1957. She taught elementary school for 4 years in Worcester, MA before moving to San Bernardino California, where she continued as a 6th grade teacher. She met Fred in November 1958 and they married in August 1959. They started a family in Palos Verdes in a house overlooking the ocean. The Schmidlin Family moved to Pittsford, NY in 1963 when Fred started his career at Xerox Corporation.
Terry was married to Fred for 60 years. In that time, they raised three children and enjoyed seven grandchildren. She was a patient, loving and nurturing mother and grandmother. Terry will be remembered as the backbone of our family, making sure we knew we were loved and supported throughout our lives. Her friends and family will also fondly remember Terry for her warmth, kindness, amazing organizational skills, her mission to keep everyone safe and well fed, and her beautiful, reassuring smile.
Terry is survived by her brother Kevin (Jane) McDonald, her 3 children Anne, Edward (Eileen) and Janet (Tracey) Tyler, 7 grandchildren: Michael Schmidlin, Meghan Tyler, Kelly Schmidlin, Frederick Schmidlin, Matthew Tyler, Sarah Schmidlin and Angela Schmidlin. She is further survived by dozens of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick William Schmidlin, her parents, and her siblings Charles, Kay Walsh and Diane.
A full mass will be held at Church of the Transfiguration, located at 50 W. Bloomfield Road in Pittsford, NY, at 10am on Monday, January 27th. Interment will be held immediately following the mass, at Ascension Gardens Cemetery, 1900 Pinnacle Road, Henrietta, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are sent in Terry Schmidlin's name to:
House of Mercy
285 Ormond St.
Rochester, NY 14605
Click HERE to Donate
We love you and miss you Mom/Terry; rest in peace.
