Marlene "Mimi" Schmitz

On May 31, 1954, Andrew and Audrey Schmitz welcomed their daughter, Marlene “Mimi” Schmitz to the world. After a brief illness, Marlene peacefully passed away on September 5, 2022, with her wife of 34 years, Rhonda, by her side, along with family and friends.

Marlene “Mimi” Schmitz was indeed, one of a kind…..the best kind. Marlene recognized early on that she wanted to be an educator, to mold young minds and, along the way, touch so many hearts. If the outpouring from her former students is any indication, she far exceeded that goal. Marlene began her teaching career helping students learn to type on an IBM Selectric and completed her 32 year career fully engaged in mentoring her students in the world of technology.

Following her teaching career, she continued with her love for children, including being a nanny to her precious Liam as well as being a “homework helper” to a multitude of children. She was proud to be crowned “Mimi”, first by Haylee Rose, followed by every lucky child thereafter who was fortunate enough to be loved by our Mimi. She was also designated “favorite aunt” by her nieces and nephews, Craig, Tania, Tim, Brittany, Kaitlyn and Alyssa as well as great nieces and nephews, Chaz, Morgan, Timmy, Drew, Joseph and Wyatt. She also became a great, great Aunt upon the birth of Morgan's little girl Sarah.

Upon meeting Rhonda in 1988, she knew very little about the world of sports. However, under Rhonda’s expert tutelage, she quickly rose to expert level, and became a die hard U of L fan. Her squeals of delight and horror could be heard throughout the YUM Center on game day. Friends and family who wish to visit with Rhonda and the family at the visitation and funeral are encouraged to break out their U of L/red/black gear (leaving your UK gear at home, please!)

Per her competitive nature, Marlene never passed up an opportunity to dominate during game night, often at the expense of her friends. Her luck at both Dominoes and Tripoli was legendary. Finding friends upon whom she could exact her competitive skills was easy for Marlene, as her friends were too numerous to mention. She cast a wide web of love everywhere she went. Marlene’s ability to pull you in with her infectious laugh, her thousand watt smile and her wicked sense of humor was remarkable, for both its frequency and its delight. Her delight was never more obvious than when she was able to escape to the sanctuary of either the mountains or the beach.

Marlene is survived by her wife Rhonda Gilliland, her siblings Georgia Spencer (Charles), Larry Schmitz, Sharon Miles, Nancy Crater (Bruce), Terry Schmitz and Lonna Clark (Brian). She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Audrey Schmitz.

A visitation for Mimi will be held Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222. A celebration of Mimi's life will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Monday, in the sanctuary of Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Ave, Louisville KY 40206.

Family and friends who would like to express their sympathy are welcome to make a donation to Crescent HIll Baptist Church Memorial Fund or the Brian Buford LGBT Alumni Council Scholarship Fund.

Crescent Hill Baptist Memorial Fund, 2800 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206

Brian Buford Endowed Pride Alumni Scholarship University of Louisville

https://give.louisville.edu/BrianBufordScholarship

Brian Buford Endowed Pride Alumni Scholarship

The scholarship will be provided to subsidize the cost of higher education at the University of Louisville. Our goal is to empower undergraduate LGBTQ+ students at UofL by connecting them with financial, organizational and personal development opportunities to improve themselves and, in turn, our community. The scholarship amount will be determined by funds and donations available at the time the scholarships are granted. The scholarship is a one-time award provided directly to the financial aid office of the University of Louisville.