Schmidt, Phyllis
Schmidt, Phyllis Illene (nee Campbell)
November 30, 1934 - September 9, 2026Passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Health Centre on September 9, 2026 in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her husband of 52 years, John Schmidt, her parents, Roy “Bun” and Lavita Mae (Maxwell) Campbell and her brothers, Bruce, Gordon “Spooky,” Douglas, and Ross.
Lovingly remembered by her children Dave (Lesley) of Guelph and Linda (Glenn) of Belleville, her grandchildren, Graham and Jenna, her sisters-in-law Sandy and Delores and many nieces and nephews.
Phyllis was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on November 30, 1934. Raised in Westmount on Cape Breton Island, Phyllis grew up with her parents and four brothers. Her childhood was filled with family and the life of the community around her. She loved skating on the harbour across from their home, visiting her grandmother nearby, and spending time around her father's large garden and workshop - a place where neighbours regularly stopped by to borrow a tool, ask for advice, or simply visit.
At just 18, Phyllis left Cape Breton on her own and made her way to Toronto, where she began working at Eaton's in downtown Toronto. It was there that she soon met John, the man with whom she would build a life and family.
Phyllis and John married and settled in Toronto, and family quickly became the centre of their lives. Phyllis devoted much of her life not only to raising her own family, but also to caring for and staying connected to extended family. Cape Breton remained an important part of her life, and she returned often to visit the people and place she loved.
Phyllis and John also knew how to enjoy life together. Saturdays often meant a trip to Kensington Market, and they shared a love of searching for antiques and restoring the treasures they found. Their lives were enriched by a wonderful circle of friends and neighbours, who continued to be a source of love and support to Phyllis after John’s passing in 2010.
Phyllis was enormously talented with her hands. She was an accomplished knitter and seamstress and a wonderful cook. Food was one of the many ways she cared for people, and she took particular pride in learning the traditional Hungarian dishes of John's family and making them her own. Over the years, she enjoyed bowling, quilting and knitting with friends, going to plays and musicals, and watching hockey, baseball and curling. She also loved a good game of cards—especially cribbage, which she and John played throughout their life together.
In later years, Phyllis moved to Guelph to be close to family, and being “Gramma” was one of the great joys of her life. She didn't simply watch her grandchildren grow up; she joined in. She cooked and baked with them, played cards and games, shared what she knew, laughed with them, and was almost always up for whatever they had in mind. Time spent with her grandchildren brought her tremendous happiness, and they were fortunate to grow up knowing her so well.
More than anything, Phyllis will be remembered for the way she made people feel. She was generous, easygoing and accepting, with a wonderful sense of humour and a quick, funny remark never far away. She welcomed people as they were, enjoyed the company of others, and was simply fun to be around. Her warmth, humour and genuine enjoyment of people made her deeply loved by family and friends alike.
Special thanks to the staff at Stone Lodge Retirement Residence, Guelph General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Centre for providing Phyllis with attentive and compassionate care.
In memory of Phyllis, donations can be made to Guelph General Hospital
