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Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal

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Birth	:	8 Jun 1922 Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	2 Jul 2021
Burial	:	Forest Meadows Memorial Park and Mausoleum Central, Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate	:	29.6903000, -82.3874969
Description	:	Mrs. Schmal was born Mary Elizabeth Thomson in Davenport, Iowa June 8, 1922, to Mungo Chapman Thomson and Mary Elizabeth Smith. She grew up in Hammond, Indiana, attending Catholic schools. In 1944 she married Lt. Gordon Schmal in All Saints Church in Hammond. Her life as an Air Force wife was filled with new locations, experiences and people. She thrived on these challenges and created a loving home wherever her husband's career took her and the family. Despite her many interests and activities, she was first and foremost a mother and a homemaker Wherever "home" was, Mary... Read More	Mrs. Schmal was born Mary Elizabeth Thomson in Davenport, Iowa June 8, 1922, to Mungo Chapman Thomson and Mary Elizabeth Smith. She grew up in Hammond, Indiana, attending Catholic schools. In 1944 she married Lt. Gordon Schmal in All Saints Church in Hammond. Her life as an Air Force wife was filled with new locations, experiences and people. She thrived on these challenges and created a loving home wherever her husband's career took her and the family. Despite her many interests and activities, she was first and foremost a mother and a homemaker Wherever "home" was, Mary insisted on a family breakfast and family dinners. She raised her family while moving 14 times, serving her country as an Air Force wife. With every move she settled in and developed friendships and gardens as if she intended to stay forever. She and Gordon retired in Shreveport, LA and lived there for 20 years until they moved to Newberry, FL to be near their daughter, Laura Davis. Working as a nurses' aide during World War II, Mary recognized her interest in caring for the sick; later in life, she became an LPN at the age of 55. She volunteered throughout her entire lifetime for hospitals, libraries, thrift shops and welfare organizations. She was in Toastmasters and Welcome Wagon, served as the librarian in her neighborhood clubhouse, saved stuffed animals for the children in hospitals, and collected books for prisons. She was the first to welcome a new neighbor, celebrate a new baby and remember a friend or loved one's birthday. Mary was an accomplished quilter, genealogist, and watercolorist. She could play the piano and guitar, enjoyed word games and crossword puzzles. She used computers with gusto. She graduated from a handgun class, but never used her skills, claiming that she never found a suitable or worthy target. She enjoyed movies, plays, music, Jeopardy, and watching the Gators, especially Tim Tebow. Her favorite musician was Robert Goulet. She was an avid shopper; at a yard sale she always asked about an object – "What can you do with it? Where did it come from? Will you take a quarter for it?" In 1942, she began writing to friends in the military service; during the War, she had seventeen soldiers and sailors on her mailing list. After she had raised her family, Mary wrote her life story, "Odyssey", and had it printed for her grandchildren. She then joined the Life Story group at the Millhopper Library and continued to write humorous essays or what she called "just ramblings". She began and completed another book she called her "Postscripts." When she was no longer able to garden outdoors, she began filling her house with plants and greenery. She loved dogs, any size, any color and always stopped to pet a friendly one. She never lost her beauty, her sense of humor or her taste for chocolate and love of shopping. During much of her marriage Mary was both mother and father to her seven children while her husband served his country for months and years in the U.S. and overseas. She is survived by her children, Laura Davis of Gainesville, Mollie Clinkenbeard (Brad), Thomas (Bridget), Anita Melson (Lars), James (Jessica), and Nancy (Vic), 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews including a dear niece Sharon Phillips. She was preceded in death by her son Robert, husband Gordon and brothers Thomas and Robert. The family extends thanks to the Eucharistic Ministers from Holy Faith who served Mary for many years when she was unable to get to Mass. Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Holy Faith Church at 9:00 a.m. Saturday July 10. Visitation will take place at Forest Meadows Funeral Home from 7-8 pm Friday July 9.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal's memorial?
Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal's memorial is located at: Forest Meadows Memorial Park and Mausoleum Central, Gainesville, Alachua County, USA.
When did Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal death?
Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal death on 2 Jul 2021 in
Where are the coordinates of the Mary Elizabeth Thomson Schmal's memorial?
Latitude: 29.6903000
Longitude: -82.3874969

Family Members:

Spouse

Gordon William Schmal

(1921 - 2008)

Children

Robert Gordon “Robb” Schmal

(1951 - 2000)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Forest Meadows Memorial Park and Mausoleum Central
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6903000, -82.3874969

2. Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Garden
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.7058520, -82.3844670

3. Rutledge Community Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6736310, -82.3900010

4. Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6663334, -82.3718179

5. Greater Liberty Hill Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6741371, -82.4232941

6. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6795006, -82.3380966

7. Grass Lawn Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6788690, -82.3360130

8. Hopewell Baptist Cemetery
Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6788387, -82.3355926

9. Sand Hill Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6794000, -82.3348500

10. East Newport Cemetery
Daysville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6401200, -82.3877530

11. Ellis Family Memorial Garden
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6739800, -82.4471900

12. Greater Fort Clarke Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6599170, -82.4397640

13. Means and Bailey Family Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6645456, -82.3294027

14. Campbell Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.7494169, -82.4046306

15. Countryside Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6897040, -82.4595480

16. First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6554600, -82.3239120

17. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6532110, -82.3244000

18. B’Nai Israel Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6514120, -82.3107510

19. Kanapaha Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6149998, -82.4113998

20. Serenola Community Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6138500, -82.3495100

21. Florida Farm Colony Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6717220, -82.2932620

22. Hague Cemetery
Hague, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.7691708, -82.4208298

23. Queen of Peace Columbarium
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6319840, -82.4579800

24. Pine Grove Cemetery
Gainesville, Alachua County, USA
Coordinate: 29.6318000, -82.3127250