Laudine Theresa Schmick

Laudine Theresa Schmick of Arlington, TX passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, after a brief but fierce battle with metastatic cancer. Having just celebrated her 75th birthday, she was surrounded by her family and loved ones as her battle came to a quiet end.

Born on July 20, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, Laudine was born into that east coast Polish American work ethic that valued hard work, resilience and that eternal emphasis on family. She was a beloved sister, cousin, friend, mother, wife and most importantly, Boosha.

After graduating from high school, Laudine went to work at National Life Insurance Company, however it was a scheme devised by her mother and mother's friend that would change the pathway of her life. While in the hospital preparing for an operation, her mother (and future mother-in-law) urged a dapper Baltimorean who was studying at the University of Maryland to 'stop by and keep her company'. It was there she would meet her future husband, Walt Schmick, as he peeked into the room to appease his own mother's insistence. One month later, after Laudine had fully recovered, she called Walt at the University of Maryland to invite him on their first official date at her company's annual party. The idea of free drinks and free food being too good to pass up for a young college student, Walt attended the party with Laudine; the best call he ever answered. They would be married on September 8, 1973, and spend thenext 52 years together.

Following graduation from University of Maryland, Walt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, making Laudine the general on the home front and a military wife, a label she wore proudly throughout her life. Through their time in the service, they moved their family from coast to coast, Laudine had a natural gift of building community and pitching in her own time and energy wherever she was based. Starting lifelong friendships through the Corps, Laudine also leaned into her own service, being proud to willingly give her own time to others, such as her support for the young kids in the foster systems through the Guardian ad litem work. It would be during her and Walt's posting at Camp Lejeune in NC where Walt and Laudine would welcome their son, Chad and then later in San Diego, their daughter, Gretchen. Their last duty station was in Fort Worth, where they retired, calling Arlington, TX home for the last 30 years.

Similarly, her faith and church family would be a place where Laudine would flourish in support of others, even volunteering to sing in the church choir early on. As an active member in the Catholic Church, Laudine would serve in Stephen Ministries to comfort loved ones during times of grief, support the bereavement committee, prison ministry and women's retreats. Her selflessness extended graciously to family as well, readily stepping away from her own work to be 'Boosha' to her five grandsons.

A vivacious laugh and one to share a favorite memory and a toast in its honor, Laudine was happiest when her kitchen table was full of family and friends. While she loved to share her culinary skills, her Jewish Apple Cake being a favorite, along with her Pierogis, it was her steadfast hold on values and traditions that Laudine cherished. Chief among those traditions was making Kruschiki with and for her grandsons around Christmas each year, happily humming and singing while the recipe came to life. In her and Walt's travels, a tin of Kruschiki could readily sneak its way into any checked luggage to be shared. While holding many titles along her path, it was her final role as Boosha that brought Laudine eternal joy. Her pride in her grandsons, their stories and their journeys fueled her during her final fight.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Schmick, Jr., her son, Chad Schmick and his wife Anne, her daughter, Gretchen Seipp and her husband Kyle, brother, Frank Lewandoski, and grandsons, Corey, Jonah, Benjamin, Lucas and Grey.

Service for Laudine Schmick will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church located at 2100 N. Davis Drive Arlington Texas.

Visitation will be held at the church at 0930 hours.

Mass will be held at 1030 hours followed by a reception at the church.

A funeral procession will begin at 1330 hours from the church to her place of internment at the

Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas Texas.

Burial service will be held at 1415 hours.