Margaret Maude (Peggy) Chambers Schmidt of Saddlebrooke, Ariz., died on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. She passed with grace and dignity after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer. She was pre-deceased by her dear parents, Alice Louise and Adelbert Royal Chambers, sister Charlotte Wrightsman, and baby son, John F. Schmidt, Jr.
Peg was born Nov. 20, 1929, in Iola. She was the youngest of three daughters. She received her AA degree from Monticello College in Godfrey, Ill., in 1949 and attended Kansas University where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma in 1949. She ultimately received her MFA degree in Studio Art from McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill., in 1975.
Peg married the love of her life, John F. Schmidt on Nov. 5, 1950. (They renewed their wedding vows this past November on their 65th wedding anniversary.) Peg and John spent happy years raising their children in Evanston, Ill., then Belleville, Ill. She was active in the Evanston Art Center as well as garden club. She was a tireless volunteer at the Shelter Shop in Belleville as well as at the Golden Goose in Catalina, Ariz.
They moved to Arizona from Belleville in 1998 and spent the past 17 years enjoying their retirement in the gorgeous Sonoran Desert. Peg loved watching the mountains “turn pink.”
Peg loved her family, her friends (old and new), the desert southwest, daily swims, reading a good book, and immersing herself in the field of art. She was known for her art work (including her WATCH DOGS) as well as for the eclectic collection of art that she and John so loved to collect.
She is survived by her beloved husband, John; Sister Jeanie Bills of Houston, Texas; Daughter Susie (Stan) Hilkemeyer of Tucson; Son Tom (Jenny) Schmidt of Columbia, Ill.; Beloved grandchildren Scott and Tim Hilkemeyer of Tucson, Emily (Andrew) Reuschel of Carbondale, Ill., and Daniel Schmidt of Perth, Australia. She adored her sweet step-grand family including Kelly, Scott, Summer and Jackson Taylor of Newport Beach, Calif. Great-granddaughter Stephanie Hilkemeyer was born to Tim and Emma on Jan. 26, 2016.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Peggy Chambers Schmidt
