1Jo 5:13 "These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life"…Jeanne knew. Jeanne T. Schmidt passed peaceably into paradise October 24, 2011 at the fulfilled age of 89, just several months shy of her 90th birthday after a few short, challenging years of less than perfect health. She was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1922, the daughter of Francis (Frank) and Madeline (Lane) Featherstone and was the sister to two brothers and three sisters. Raised in Wilkes Barre, she attended Nursing school in New York to return to her home town as certified registered nurse (RN) which profession was in high demand in the early years of WWII. On nursing duty she met her future husband, Joseph F. Schmidt (Papa Joe). She and Joe never made a major family decision without it being unanimous and it was in 1950 that they boldly decided to relocate their home, family and business to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where they opened what would be considered today a television sales and service "super store" on a full city block in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The business was highly successful through their joint efforts. Jeanne was raised a Catholic and was "born again" in 1975 together with her husband Joe. Thereafter they were both active in numerous assemblies studying, learning and applying God's word, witnessing and teaching whenever the opportunities were presented. Jeanne and Joe, married 53 years, were blessed with four sons and while she returned to nursing at Broward General Hospital for a stint, spent good years nurturing and raising the boys. Neighbors and friends valued her nursing expertise as she was always available to ply her nursing trade, administer to the sick whenever and wherever asked. She was assertive when need be but more often had a gentle, loving, instructive nature. She never asked for thanks or credit for her actions and generosity and preferred others to shine while she stood in the shadows. She was the wind beneath our wings. Jeanne is survived by her sister Katherine Simms and brother John Featherstone as well as her four sons John F. Schmidt and his wife Peggy, Frederick J. Schmidt and his fiancée Sherry Woods, Joseph A. Schmidt and his wife Vicki and Francis J. Schmidt and his wife Judy. Grandchildren include John Schmidt, Gina Hollingsworth and Jeffrey Schmidt, Devin and Lindsey Schmidt, Joey Schmidt and Mellissa Summersill, and Christina and Jonathan Schmidt. She was blessed to have known numerous great grandchildren as well. A celebration of Jeanne's life will be held at the Palms West Funeral Home at 110 Business Parkway, Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411 this Sunday, October 30th, 2011 between 2:00 pm and 4 pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to CAM Central America Missions at www.caminternational.org or Alzheimer's Community Care, 800 Northpoint Parkway Suite 101-B West Palm Beach, FL 33407
