Queenie E. Schmidt (nee Hammond) age 94 of Belton, entered her eternal life surrounded by some of her loving family at her home on Saturday, March 13, 2021. Born April 12, 1926 in London, England, the fourth of twelve children, to David and Emily (Deaves) Hammond. Queenie met her future husband Richard (Rick) R. Schmidt while he was stationed with the U.S. Navy in London, England during WWII. They were united in marriage in London on March 10, 1945. She was part of the first group of British War Brides to come to America aboard the Queen Mary, and arrived by train into Chicago, IL on February 14, 1946. Queenie and Rick moved back to England in 1947 and returned to Chicago in 1956. In 1962 they moved to Hanover Park, Ill. There they were Co-Founders and Charter Sponsors of the Hanover Park Teen Club, and active members of the St. Ansgar Parish, Hanover Park and it’s food pantry for many years. Queenie also donated her time to the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Ontarioville Volunteer Fire Department where Rick served as Captain. After retirement Queenie and Rick moved to Greenville. They became members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Central City. They were both active in the Parish and continued to work at the church’s food pantry; Rick until his passing in 2015, and Queenie until Covid-19 arrived in 2020.
Queenie was a very loving, friendly, and compassionate person. She was immensely proud her role as Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother and as a Matriarch of the extended Schmidt and Hammond families. Everyone loved her dearly and always asked her if he/she was her ‘favorite’. She will be fondly remembered and missed by all whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her husband Rick, both parents, brothers Leslie, Ernest and Alan Hammond; brothers & sisters-in law: David & Violet, Fredrick & Maude, Ronald & Maud, and John & Iris Hammond; sisters Lilly and Joyce Hammond, and Jean Wright; sister-in-law Elsie Hammond, son-in-law Johnny McGehee, great-grandson Richard J. Pendley and great-granddaughter Shaina McGehee.
Survivors include daughters Carol (Ronald Wright) Biskup, Rita McGehee, Christine (Steven) Thielk; 11 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 24 great great grandchildren; brother Roy Hammond; sister-in-law Sherry Hammond and brother-in law William Wright.
A Mass to celebrate Queenie’s life will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Her memorial and her inurnment will be held in Belvidere, Ill. Both services are to be announced at a later date. As per Queenie’s wishes, in lieu of flowers donations may be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church Food Pantry. A special heartfelt ‘Thank You’ is extended to Baptist Health Hospice for their tender care of Queenie and their support to her family.
