Mary K. Schmitz

Mary K Schmitz of Waukesha and Madison passed away on Saturday March 13th at the Ellen and Peter Jensen Hospice Center after a long fight battling many illnesses.     Mary was born on April 8, 1938 to Charles and Vera (Cook) Schmitz in Waukesha Wisconsin. Mary graduated from Waukesha High School in 1956.   Mary moved to Illinois and worked as a Comptroller in Chicago.   She attended college and obtained an associate degree in social services.   While in Illinois, Mary did community service for the Bridge and worked for Little Friends supporting the developmentally disabled.   In 1981 Mary became a live-in support staff for an 8 bed group home run by Creative Community Living Services (CCLS) in Oconomowoc, WI. the group home was subsequently relocated to Waukesha, WI at a later date. After many years Mary filled in as interim Regional Director in the Waukesha area for CCLS and transferred to Madison in the Regional Director role in 1989. Over the years Mary moved back into accounting and over saw the Social Security Benefits, Representative Payee role and timesheets for the South Central Area for CCLS. She retired after 25 years of service in 2005.   Mary was a friend to many. If she had it she would give it to you. She was the candy lady at the Dialysis Center on Index Road. Sharing her life and interests along with her Jolly Ranchers, Mary had a way of making people feel important and showed a genuine interest for others and their lives, She put a smile on many faces and those smiles helped her through many illnesses and times of rehab.   Mary enjoyed camping trips with family, cruises with friends, and excursions to casinos.   As a teen, Mary played in a ""Fast Pitch"" women's league and her team went on to win the state championship. Mary loved to bowl and in later years spent ""many-a-night"" watching Bill and Dolly; she went to state bowling competitions with Dolly and many of the friends she made.   Mary was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching various sports on television.   Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Fred.   She is survived by her brothers Bill (Dolly) of Waukesha, Bob (Mary Ellen) of Sun City, AZ, and Charles of Waukesha, sister Judy Wesley (Bill) of Waukesha, nieces Lisa Schmitz of Waukesha, and Anne Schmitz of East Troy, WI and other nieces and nephews. Her many friends of Nurses, Doctors, Social Workers, Therapists and Patients at St. Mary's Renal Center and St. Mary's Care Center. Her good friends and care givers Sister Pam, Bonnie, Kim and Chris. A Very special Thanks goes to Dr. Catherine James, Dr. Mary Thompson and Dr. Edward Ahrens for their straight forward advice, friendship and caring over the years.   Come Join Mary's Family and Friends Remember her Life the way she wanted it remembered. Come Celebrate and share stories of your times with Mary with others on Thursday April 8, 2010 (Mary's Birthday) at Pedros Mexican Restaurant 499 Donofrio Drive Madison, WI 53719 5:00pm -8:00pm.