Florence Cecilia Petru Schmidt

Texas. Born in Sweet Home, Texas; Florence was 85 years old. Being the youngest of four daughters of Florian and Julia Petru, Florence was born on September 7, 1930. Florence is preceded in death by her husband, Elo Schmidt, both parents, two sisters, Augusta Sciba and Louise Bronikowski, and a granddaughter, April Schmidt. She is survived by her sister, Viola Muelker of Shiner, Texas, three children, Donald Schmidt (wife - Sharon) of Huffman, Texas, Jean Smith of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Patricia Smith (husband - Thomas) of Katy, Texas, grandchildren Renee Hubbard (husband - Greg), Brandon Smith (wife - Heather), Jayme Smith, Jessica Smith, and Megan Schmidt, along with great grandchildren Logan, Bryce, Hailey, Preston and Kylie and many nieces and nephews.

Florence lived in Yoakum, Texas until she graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in 1948. Married in 1949, Florence and Elo shared 53 years together. While working as a secretary for Shell Oil Company, Florence was active in the Altar Society at Assumption Catholic Church and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Houston. She was also a long time member of Catholic Daughters of America. Residing in Huffman, Texas after retiring from Shell Oil, Florence took an interest in and taught ceramic making and painting. Together, Florence and Elo deeply loved their family and friends, and enjoyed hosting gatherings at their home and lake house. If they were not at home, they were hunting, fishing, volunteering, or dancing. After Elo’s passing in 2003, Florence moved to Heritage Grand in Katy, Texas where she quickly met new friends, enjoyed an active social life, and volunteered at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church in Katy. Florence looked forward to attending Happy Hearts events, getting together with the Red Hat Society and participating in the Heritage Grand community. She enjoyed stitchery, cooking, gardening, and she liked chickens (proudly displaying many colorful roosters in her home).

Florence will be remembered for her love of people (especially her nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren), her devotion to God, her gregarious personality, her sense of humor, and her overall caring nature. Florence always had a smile and was a friend to everyone. She will be missed by many.

Florence’s family extends their deepest appreciation for the care and support provided by Florence’s doctors, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, and Solera of West Houston.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 1, 2016 at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77494. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 5356 Eleventh Street., Katy, Texas 77493 with Rev. Wayne Wilkerson as celebrant. Interment will follow at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital: mh.foundation@memorialhermann.org - or - American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/monthlydonations‎