Helen Schmidt

Helen Schmidt, born Ilona Kovács on June 8, 1919 in Békéscsaba, Hungary died peacefully in her 96th year on November 15, 2015 in Plattsburgh, NY; one day past her 67th wedding anniversary. Helen was the second of five children and the last surviving. She was very proud of her family, especially of her father the late Mihály Kovács, who was a well-respected businessman in Békéscsaba. Helen's early life was colored by her flight from Hungary at the end of World War II. She recently wrote a book about her life and these experiences, which was published in 2014. A copy of that book "Oh Memory Lane" is available at the Plattsburgh Public Library. Helen loved music and was a very gifted pianist. She often could be heard playing anything from Sibelius to Honky Tonk, but the family favorites were always the Hungarian folk tunes she loved so much to share. A familiar story from her youth was a time that she was to perform "Finlandia" on stage when the stagehand mistakenly turned out the lights. She played the entire piece from memory in the dark! She enjoyed symphony and opera, and in recent years she rarely missed any live musical performance offered at her residence at Lake Forest. Helen was also passionate about languages. Besides her native Hungarian, she spoke German, French, Spanish and English. She was a member of a German Club and kept up with her Spanish through continuing education up to several years ago. She was also an amazing cook and prepared many delicious meals for friends and family, once even preparing a complete thanksgiving turkey that traveled back to Pittsburgh in a carry-on bag! Helen was married to Dr. Rudolph Schmidt on November 14, 1948 in Albany, New York. Together they raised a family and managed Rudi's busy medical practice which was located in their home in Loudonville, NY. Their summers were spent in Bolton Landing on Lake George, NY. Rudi loved sailing and swimming; together they played tennis, loved dancing - especially the Viennese Waltz, excelled at bridge, and enjoyed having family and friends nearby. After retirement, they spent many happy years commuting between New York and Bradenton, Florida where they continued playing tennis and enjoying the water and spending time with their many friends. Helen's tennis career went well into her 80's where she was once heard remarking that she only played doubles since she "hadn't played singles since her 70's!" She received her last tennis trophy at age 87! Helen was well known for her gracious hospitality, good humor, generosity and her positive outlook on life. She was always ready to give encouragement and find the good in most any situation. She was devoted to her husband, loved her family first and foremost and always looked forward to each event which brought them together. She was an amazing role model for aging gracefully and stylishly. Rudi and Helen were most often seen in tastefully coordinated outfits with bright lively colors which Helen arranged. She is predeceased by her parents, Mihály and Mária Kovács, her siblings Mária Martits, Gabriella Kovács, Mihály Kovács and Katalin Tawresey. She is survived by her loving husband Rudolph and her three daughters Klara Weis (Joseph Weis, deceased) of St. Louis, MO, Elli Collins (Dr. Robert Collins, deceased) of Plattsburgh, New York and Peg Schmidt (Wilma Palombo) of Pittsburgh, PA; a niece Mary Martits of Albany, NY, nephews Steven Martits (Susan) of New Paltz, NY, Ákos Kovács (Ágnes) and Márton Kovács (Judit) of Hungary; four grandchildren Matt Weis (Ellen) of St. Louis, MO, Tim Collins of Munich, Germany, Jennifer Muhlenberg (Henry) of Lovettsville, VA, and Chris Schmidt of Pittsburgh, PA; great-niece Brooke Martis-Sarmiento (Gerald) of Gillette, NJ; and seven great-grandchildren: Emme, Josie, Eamon and Alice Weis, and Peter, Robert and Eric Muhlenberg as well as many friends and a large extended family in Hungary. She will be sadly missed. Funeral arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY. Calling hours will be from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Friday, November 27. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday, November 28 at St. John XXIII Newman Center, Plattsburgh, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: Hill and Hollow, c/o Angel Brown, Weatherwatch Farm, 550 Number 37 Road, Saranac, NY 12981;or Renaissance City Choir, 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206; or Community Gospel Choir (a 501c3 organization) c/o Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn, Kirkwood, MO 63122. Since St. Louis is a very segregated city, this wonderful chorus tries to bridge the gap by bringing the community together in song. Arrangements were entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. (518)-561-3980. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com