Margaret Tuckwiller Schmidt, 84, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, left this earth Thursday, January 22, 2015.
She was the fifth daughter and seventh child of Margaret E. Phillips and Eugene A. Tuckwiller Sr. of Lewisburg, WV. Margaret, known to her friends and family as Kita, was born in the Tuckwiller home on Bungers Mill Road on February 10, 1930.
Kita attended Central School through eighth grade and attended Lewisburg High School, graduating in 1947. She graduated from West Virginia University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in public school music.
Kita was married for 53 years to retired Col. Richard “Dick” H. Schmidt, USAF, who preceded her in death in 2006.
She is survived by her daughters, Jaine Wyatt (Harry) of Richmond, VA, Deborah Schmidt (David Scott) of Lewisburg, Patricia Kassel (James) of Louisville, KY, and Rachel Schmidt (Philip Schuler) of Takoma Park, MD; and eight grandchildren, Ian and Tristan Wyatt, Elizabeth Mae and William Scott, Courtney, Jordan, and Margaret Kassel, and Amelia Schuler. Kita is also survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis Tuckwiller, brother-in-law, William Shaffer; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and countless friends.
Together Kita and Dick created a wonderful life for their four daughters, traveling from base to base across the United States and in Europe. Upon Dick’s retirement from the Air Force, they returned to Lewisburg. Kita was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Ruritan, DAR, Richlands Homemakers Club, and PEO, and volunteered with the North House Museum, Shepherd’s Center, and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed going to concerts at Carnegie Hall, the theater, teaching Mahjongg, and visiting with relatives at the WV State Fair, which her family had helped to found.
In retirement, Kita and Dick continued their traveling, venturing to Hawaii, Mexico, the Mediterranean, and locations around the U.S. In her later years, Kita traveled twice to Namibia, Africa, to visit her daughter, Rachel, and family.
Kita was a loving woman who greeted everyone with a warm smile. She will be missed terribly by all who knew and loved her. Comfort lies in the knowledge that she is resting peacefully with God and all those who preceded her.
Being of a generous spirit, Kita contributed to many worthy causes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate your time, talents, or monetary contributions to a charity of your choice in her memory.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 2 PM at St. James Episcopal Church, 218 S. Court Street, Lewisburg. Burial will be at Calvary Methodist Church in the Richlands.
McCraw Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the January 26, 2015, edition of the West Virginia Daily News.
