Margaret C Schmidt

Margaret Maude (Peggy) Chambers Schmidt of Saddlebrooke, Arizona died on Wednesday,

January 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 on November 20th, 1929 in Iola, Kansas. She was the youngest of 3 daughters.

She received her AA degree from Monticello College in Godfrey, Ill in '49 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, Illinois in 1975.

Peg married the love of her life, John F. Schmidt on November 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, Illinois, then Belleville, Illinois. 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, Az.

They moved to Arizona from Belleville, Illinois in 1998 and have 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 & 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, California. Great Grand-daughter

Stephanie Hilkemeyer was born to Tim & Emma on January 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.