Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

December 2, 1917 - May 19, 2016

SCHMITT, BLANCHE DEMARIS

Blanche passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at the age of 98. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Herman L. Schmitt; cherished mother of Leslie Schmitt Brown of Philadelphia, PA and Beverly Schmitt Malone of Waltham, MA; grandmother of Erica Newell Brown, Kelly Christina Malone and the late Scott Matthew Brown; great grandmother of Alexandria Brown. Blanche was preceded in death by her parents Robert Leslie and Alice Greiner Newell, sisters Leona Davis and Verda Wilsman, brother Robert Leslie Newell, Jr. Blanche was born on December 2, 1917 in Castle Shannon. She graduated from Dormont High School in 1935 and started working in retail at Spear & Company Furniture Store. She was one of three females among 30 males on the sales force. While still in high school, she met her future husband of 62 years at the South Park swimming pool. "Smitty" was a lifeguard while also a third year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh. They were married in 1939 and built a house on Prospect Road in Whitehall. Blanche became receptionist and answering service at her husband's medical practice in Mt. Oliver. She was an avid golfer and member of the Western Pennsylvania Women's Golf Association. In addition she was a volunteer buyer for the South Side Hospital gift shop and President of the Women's Auxiliary. She also was an owner of the second hand clothing shop called Windfall and long time member and Elder in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. She and Smitty traveled extensively around the world - some of their memorable trips included Africa, Hawaii, Australia & New Zealand, Peru, Japan, China, British & U.S. Virgin Islands and many of the U.S. states. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Monday, May 23, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at which time services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Diamonds in the Ruff, 6005 Overbrook Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 - a dog rescue business run by her granddaughter.