Born in Cleethorpes, England, to Vera Hughes (née Langham) and Richard Hughes just before the outbreak of World War II, Jennifer was the second of four children in a close and loving family. She moved to Liverpool as a young woman, where she met the love of her life, Heinz Schmidt. At the age of 22, she moved to the United States with Heinz, settling in the Chicago area. They lived in Lincoln Park and Elk Grove Village before raising their children in Arlington Heights, and then retiring in Crystal Lake. After Heinz’s death in 2016, Jennifer moved back to Arlington Heights, and began an unexpectedly vibrant new chapter as an active community member at The Moorings.
Jennifer is survived by her beloved children Jenny Schmidt (Kent) Panther and Paul Heinz (Francesca) Schmidt; her grandchildren Braden Panther and Kyleigh Panther; her brother James (Kate) Hughes; her sister, Susan (Tony) Haith; and by brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends who loved her deeply. Jennifer is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Heinz, and her brother David (Una) Hughes.
Memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 27, 2024, in the chapel at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, 811 E. Central Rd. with a reception to follow immediately after.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Red Cross disaster relief efforts: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/
Condolences at www.GlueckertFH.com or (847) 253-0168.
