Carolyn Schmidt

Falmouth, ME – Carolyn Cummings Schmidt, 88, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025. She was born August 1, 1936, in Woodstock, Maine to Carroll J. and Helmi K (Pulkkinen) Cummings. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the many, many people she touched along the way. She always had a smile and an encouraging word for those she met. Everywhere she went, people loved her. She was a blessing to so many! How does one summarize a life well lived in so few words? Carolyn spent her first few years growing up in South Paris, Maine, and at the age of 5, her parents moved to Portland, where she made lifelong friends. She attended Portland schools. She enjoyed riding the train to visit her grandfather's farm in Livermore and loved spending time upta Camp Limberlost where her father taught her how to boat, swim, and fish. Carolyn graduated from Deering High School in 1954. She attended Portland School of Art before marrying Ted Flaherty in November of 1955 and raising six beautiful daughters in Westbrook, Maine. In June 1997, Carolyn married Dick Schmidt and spent the next almost 30 years loving life in Arizona. With the addition of Dick's three daughters and a son, the family was suddenly huge! She had 22 grandchildren who called her "Mimi" and she was proud of all of them! She enjoyed it when her children visited the desert, always taking them sightseeing, to restaurants, and the pool. She loved shopping and lunches and had the best taste in fashion and decor. Carolyn was diagnosed 17-years ago with Parkinson's disease. She always said, "Parkinsons is something I have, not who I am," and she wouldn't let it defeat her. She was an accomplished artist. Among her many artistic talents, she loved to paint. She painted beautiful flowers and birds, selling many prints that brighten homes all over the country. Carolyn was admired for her strength, resilience, and unconditional love for her family. She loved art, music, eating out, and watching basketball. She is survived by her children and their children: Teddi Adams of Limerick, Teresa (Steve) Gould of Kennebunk, Lisa (Phil) Jones of Westbrook, Susan (Chris) Tremblay of Westbrook, Sharon (Scott) Shelton of Yaak, MT, Jennifer (John) Jacobson of Prescott Valley, AZ; step-children: Curt (Kathy) Schmidt of NJ, Dede (Keith) Van Zandt of NC, Jana (Andy) Opperman of NJ, and Jennifer (Glenn) Pigue of TN. She was a proud and loving grandmother to 22 children, and 27 great-grandchildren —who brought endless light into her life. She is reunited in peace and joy with Dick, her parents, as well as her sister, Helmi Cummings Fiato, and of course Bella and Shadow, as well as many others. She leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts that we'll fill with memories of the beautiful woman she was here on Earth! The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth for their exceptional care and affection during Carolyn's brief stay. And also want to thank the incredible staff at MMC SCU-3 for their compassion, kindness, and unwavering support during Carolyn's final hours. Honoring Carolyn's wishes, there will be no formal services, however, a celebration of life will be planned in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. https://www.michaeljfox.org/ Rest peacefully, Mama Carolyn. You will always be loved, always remembered.

Carolyn Schmidt

August 1, 1936 - February 2, 2025

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