Jeannette M Schmidt

Agawam – Jeannette “Jane” Marie (Champagne) Schmidt, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Heritage Hall on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Born in Chicopee on December 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Charles and Lena May (Bousquet) Champagne. She attended Catholic schools in Chicopee and Holyoke. She worked at JJ Newbury’s in Holyoke and, later on, at Acme Chain Corp. for several years. Jane was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam and was a Eucharistic Minister at Heritage Hall for many years. Jane was a generous person who dedicated countless hours volunteering at numerous places that were meaningful to her. She was active in the Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam, running the Attic Treasures Table and later on the Bountiful Basket booth along with her dear, late friend Paulene Paquette. They also helped make many crafts for the bazaar. Jane belonged to the Over 60’s Club. She was on the board of the Council on Aging at the Agawam Senior Center and was on the building committee for the new Senior Center. She was also a member of the Friends at the Agawam Senior Center where she was a devoted volunteer in helping to raise funds, and was revered as a local celebrity at the golf tournament. She played pool and shuffle board for many years. Her many talents included her beautiful knitting, crocheting and sewing. She and her friend Paulene drove around in Paulene’s little red sports car with their “Cat in the Hat” red, white and blue hats campaigning for the former mayor, Richard Cohen. Jane loved her family very much. She will be missed dearly by her friends and family. Jane’s beloved husband, George W. Schmidt predeceased her in 2016. She is survived by her caring children Eileen Kane, Eric Schmidt and his wife Karen, and Mark Schmidt and his wife Amy; her adored grandchildren Benjamin, Kayleigh, Ethan and Jessica; her cherished step-grandchildren Jeff and Ricky; step great granddaughter Rylee; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, Jane is predeceased by her brothers Joseph, Raymond, Charles, Earl and Francis; and her sisters Edna and Irene. Funeral services will begin at 9AM on Friday, November 16, 2018 from Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam with a Liturgy of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10AM, in St. John the Evangelist Church, Agawam. Interment will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling hours will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday, November 15th at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jane’s memory to “Friends of the Agawam Senior Center” 954 Main St, Agawam MA 01001. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.