Rosalie I. Schmitt, enjoyed raising children
Rosalie I. Schmitt, affectionately known as “Rosie” or “RoRo,” 83, of Lewes passed away surrounded by her loving family Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Christiana Care in Newark.
Rosie was born in Lewes Feb. 16, 1938, daughter of the late William Brack Porter and Vera Emily (Holston) Porter. She was a graduate of Lewes High School class of 1956.
Rosie began her working career as a secretary at Stokely-Van Camp in Rehoboth Beach. After meeting her husband, Frederick Schmitt, and starting her family she began her true vocation as a mom. Being a Navy wife, she quickly learned how to organize large events to small intimate dinners with the officers and men of her husband’s ships at various navy bases.
When Fred retired from the Navy, the family moved back to her hometown, and Rosie worked with her sister as a billing agent for Selbyville Manufacturing Company in Rehoboth. The organizational skills and her diligent involvement with her children’s education led her to serve on the PTA as her children grew up, and she was instrumental in starting a school carnival at Shields Elementary. Rosie was also instrumental in Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1, Lewes serving as a den mother, den leader, and helping to support her two boys’ endeavor to become Eagle Scouts.
Later in her life, she opened a home daycare, Ro-Ro’s Stay & Play. Her love of children continued as she soon became a grandmother and loved spending time with each one. She and her beloved Fred enjoyed wintering every year in Florida, square-dancing and making ceramics. She was also a member of TOPS and Conley’s United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Robert Schmitt, and a sister, Brackine Rice. She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Schmitt and his wife Lillian of Dunn, N.C., and John Schmitt and his wife Wendy of Lewes; and six grandchildren, Mark Schmitt and his wife Katie of Norfolk, Va., Kevin Schmitt of Fayetteville, N.C., Ryan Blanchard of Dunn, Sophie Schmitt of Lewes, Sarah “Sean” Schmitt of Lewes, and Reed Carango of Lewes. Rosie is also survived by a brother, Hershel Porter and his wife Beverly of Lewes; a special niece who lived with and cared for Rosie, Wanda Brand; a special nephew who provided many meals, Barry Porter and his wife Margaret; and a multitude of other nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins.
A viewing will be held from noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, April 18, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where a funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Lewes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing protocols will be observed and masks are required for those in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Rosalie’s name to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
