Obituary for Mary Margaret Waddell (Schmitt)
A funeral Mass for Mary Waddell, 84, of Athens, is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 21, 2020 at the St. Edward's Education and Ministry Center at 1310 S. Palestine in Athens with Father Nolan Lowry officiating.
Mrs. Waddell passed away August 17, 2020 in Athens.
Mary Margaret (Schmitt) Waddell was born February 28, 1936 in Paterson, New Jersey, the daughter of John Schmitt and Elizabeth (Kinney) Schmitt. She was a long-time and active member of St. Edwards Catholic Church where she wore many hats, including organizing the Annual Gala and serving on the steering committee for the new Education and Ministry Center. Mary was instrumental in helping Athens become a Certified Retirement Community many years ago and took great pride in this accomplishment. She was awarded the Citizen of the Year accolade in 2009 which eludes to the fact that she spent countless hours serving the Athens community through many organizations over the years. The list includes; the Athens Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Economic Development Corporation, TVCC Women’s Basketball where she and her husband were active members of the Foster Parent Program, former board member of the Henderson County American Cancer Society, Keep Athens Beautiful Board of Directors, where she received the Margaret Myers Award for Outstanding Board Members. Mary also served as the secretary for the Henderson County Fair Park for over 8 years and she was currently serving as treasurer for both the United Way and the Kiwanis Club. Mary enjoyed shopping, reading and was a self-professed wine connoisseur. She was a loving “Grandma” to her grandchildren and “GG Maw” to her great grandchildren. Mary will be immensely missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jerry Waddell and one grandson, Michael Artuyo.
Survivors include children, Karen Artuyo and husband Duke of Dunedin, Florida, Janice Ervin of St. Petersburg, Florida, Christine Lunford of Dunedin, Florida, Robert Walker of Kennewick, Washington; siblings, John Schmitt of Maryland, Veronica Gerum and husband Charles of Pennsylvania, Rita McGrath and husband Richard of New York, Elizabeth Schmitt of New York, Paul Schmitt and wife Nancy of Utah; grandchildren, Dana Scott and husband Lee, Justine Hull and husband Luis, Nicholas Rosario, Ronny Ervin, Christopher Ervin, Casandra Lara, John Artuyo, Kenneth Lunford, Derek Walker, Chase Walker, Ciarra Scott, numerous great grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jerry Don Vaught and Derrick Marks, Carol and Bob Morton, Judith McGilvrey, Lynn and Tom Leatham and many other dear friends for being her support system.
A visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church or United Way of Henderson County.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Mrs. Waddell passed away August 17, 2020 in Athens.
Mary Margaret (Schmitt) Waddell was born February 28, 1936 in Paterson, New Jersey, the daughter of John Schmitt and Elizabeth (Kinney) Schmitt. She was a long-time and active member of St. Edwards Catholic Church where she wore many hats, including organizing the Annual Gala and serving on the steering committee for the new Education and Ministry Center. Mary was instrumental in helping Athens become a Certified Retirement Community many years ago and took great pride in this accomplishment. She was awarded the Citizen of the Year accolade in 2009 which eludes to the fact that she spent countless hours serving the Athens community through many organizations over the years. The list includes; the Athens Chamber of Commerce, the Athens Economic Development Corporation, TVCC Women’s Basketball where she and her husband were active members of the Foster Parent Program, former board member of the Henderson County American Cancer Society, Keep Athens Beautiful Board of Directors, where she received the Margaret Myers Award for Outstanding Board Members. Mary also served as the secretary for the Henderson County Fair Park for over 8 years and she was currently serving as treasurer for both the United Way and the Kiwanis Club. Mary enjoyed shopping, reading and was a self-professed wine connoisseur. She was a loving “Grandma” to her grandchildren and “GG Maw” to her great grandchildren. Mary will be immensely missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jerry Waddell and one grandson, Michael Artuyo.
Survivors include children, Karen Artuyo and husband Duke of Dunedin, Florida, Janice Ervin of St. Petersburg, Florida, Christine Lunford of Dunedin, Florida, Robert Walker of Kennewick, Washington; siblings, John Schmitt of Maryland, Veronica Gerum and husband Charles of Pennsylvania, Rita McGrath and husband Richard of New York, Elizabeth Schmitt of New York, Paul Schmitt and wife Nancy of Utah; grandchildren, Dana Scott and husband Lee, Justine Hull and husband Luis, Nicholas Rosario, Ronny Ervin, Christopher Ervin, Casandra Lara, John Artuyo, Kenneth Lunford, Derek Walker, Chase Walker, Ciarra Scott, numerous great grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jerry Don Vaught and Derrick Marks, Carol and Bob Morton, Judith McGilvrey, Lynn and Tom Leatham and many other dear friends for being her support system.
A visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward's Catholic Church or United Way of Henderson County.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.