Mae Schmidle was not born in Newtown. But many would agree she represented the town and supported many of its causes with a level of tenacity, humility, and honor befitting one of the community’s founding families.

The always dynamic "lady in red," former State Representative, and longtime Newtown resident died Friday, April 26, at the age of 92, surrounded by family and friends.

A wake is scheduled for Monday, April 29, from 4 to 7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, at noon, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road.

Since she moved here with her surviving husband, Robert, in the early 1960s, it seemed everything the late Mrs Schmidle did was all about Newtown.

According to her obituary and countless reports about her endeavors in The Newtown Bee, the roster of the late Mrs Schmidle’s social and political activities represent an exhaustive list of accomplishments. Even in the weeks ahead of her passing, she exhibited a level of energy and enthusiasm that was often the envy of her peers — including her many younger friends and colleagues.

After one of her first local civic engagements with the Newtown PTA, she exhibited such passion for supporting children and education that she was elected president of the Connecticut State PTA. Her official elected service in town began when Mrs Schmidle was seated for the first of four terms as Town Clerk.

In 1981, Mrs Schmidle was elected State Representative for the 106th Assembly District, after which she served five terms.

During her years in the Assembly she was know for her advocacy on behalf of the historic flagpole, first erected in 1876 for the centennial celebration of the nation’s independence. When the state sought to remove it, she fought tenaciously and successfully for it to remain, according to her obituary.

Her obituary also notes that as Newtown’s state representative, she initiated the Aquifer Protection Act, guaranteeing the protection of the town’s ground water. Mrs Schmidle also served as president of the state’s Northeast Dairy Compact and National Resource Council among others.

Outpouring Of Tributes

From preschoolers, for whom she guided The Children’s Adventure Center, to senior citizens and her championing of Newtown Visiting Nurse Association, Mrs Schmidle's legacy of love for Newtown and its people will be everlasting, her obituary related. The treasure that Mrs Schmidle was to so many in the community and beyond was represented in an outpouring of tributes received by The Newtown Bee as news of her passing became known last weekend.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal described the plucky Mrs Schmidle as “one of a kind.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing Mae for all of my life as she selflessly served our community in so many ways,” the First Selectman and lifelong resident said. “She was the quintessential community volunteer and public servant. She brought spirit and color (red) to everything and everyone she touched.”

Shortly after he became First Selectman in December 2016, Mr Rosenthal said he was invited to take a holiday photo with the Newtown Visiting Nurses Association of which Mae was a long-serving member and leader.

“In typical Mae fashion she grabbed my hand and asked me to unload some items from her car. In her car was a four foot Santa Claus and several bags of festive decorations for everyone to hold in the picture. That was Mae, the consummate choreographer,” the first selectman recalled.

“Mae would call me from time to time with words of encouragement or suggestions and I enjoyed our discussions immensely,” he said. “Mae leaves a legacy of love of community that won’t soon be forgotten. On behalf of a grateful community, Rest in Peace, Mae.”

Current 106th District State Rep Mitch Bolinsky said he was first struck by “Newtown’s beautiful ‘Lady in Red’ for her kind nature and extraordinary life force.”

“She was a master of making people feel great about doing good things for good causes,” Rep Bolinsky observed. “Mae was truly a one-of-a-kind, special person.”

He noticed that people always wanted to be with and around Mrs Schmidle.

“In Newtown circles, she seemed to be everywhere and into everything,” Rep Bolinsky said. “Anyone could instantly see her for the extraordinary engaging leader she was, in all she did. To be around Mae, was to become wrapped up in her dedication to others. She touched so many lives. Like the Pied Piper, Mae Schmidle was someone folks wanted to be near and follow.”

A natural leader, Rep Bolinsky said Mrs Schmidle led with passion, kindness, and positive energy.

“Her gift was sharing good causes with enthusiasm and joy,” he said. “She was this little firecracker — always charging forward for any number of good causes and never shy about taking a leadership role for the good of our children, our community, and our state.

“Whether it was PTA, VNA, Town Clerk, State Rep, giving life to the Children’s Adventure Center, or Grand Marshaling our Labor Day Parade, Mae Schmidle always shined as the heartbeat of Newtown,” Rep Bolinsky concluded. “She could move mountains with her smile. But Mae drew the line at Newtown’s flagpole — that wasn’t moving anywhere. Rest in peace, my friend and, rest in red, so your friends can spot you in heaven.”

State Senator Tony Hwang, whose 28th District encompasses Newtown, said Mrs Schmidle was “the energizing spirit of Newtown.”

“Her contributions and accomplishments embody the commitment to community that exists throughout Newtown,” said Sen Hwang. “Her constant presence and red outfits were inspirational and omnipresent. Her legacy of public services is well recognized and we should also appreciate her success as a spouse, parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent to her family. May God bless her and her family. Mae will be missed.”

Governor Ned Lamont offered these words: “We extend our deepest condolences to Representative Schmidle’s family and friends. She served her home community of Newtown with honor and we are grateful for her service to our state.”

US Senator Richard Blumenthal said Mrs Schmidle "epitomized the best of Connecticut politics: Public service above partisanship, friendship not fighting, good humor above all. One of a kind, I was proud to count her as a friend — and my sympathies go to her family, including Lt Gen Robert Schmidle (Ret) US Marine Corps.”

‘A Real Treasure’

Current Newtown VNA President and longtime confidant Anna Wiedemann called Mrs Schmidle her ultimate mentor, a dear friend, and a unique part of her life, especially in recent years.

“Just as our flag pole is an icon, Newtown lost another icon, a real treasure, our dear Mae Schmidle,” Ms Wiedemann said. “It wasn’t until a few years ago that I read in The Bee’s ‘Way We Were’ column that Mae was the reason for our treasured flagpole,” she said.

“I will miss our daily chats, which were filled everyday with wonderful history lessons about our beloved town. Certainly being in the Labor Day Parade won’t be the same without her pointing out the history of the many homes we passed,” she added.

Ms Wiedemann said she was happy the months leading up to Mrs Schmidle’s passing were filled with a lot of wonderful milestones, including the Proclamation at the 25th Anniversary of the local Health Fair, an American Legion award, and all of the activities surrounding 100th anniversary of Newtown VNA.

In a religion studies class the morning after Mrs Schmidle passed away, Ms Wiedemann said she offered up a prayer for Mae, her husband, Bob, and their family.

“The opening scripture in this morning’s class reads ‘Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). If anyone ascribed to that, it was Mae,” Ms Wiedemann said. “Personally and politically, Mae built everyone up. Always encouraging, always supporting.”

Longtime friend and professional colleague Dr Robert Grossman said he was impressed with the number of things Mrs Schmidle seemed to be involved with at the same time, but recalled that she would always stop and make time to lend assistance to a person or a cause that was in need.

“She was always putting herself out there doing things for others and the community,” Dr Grossman said. “She and I crossed paths most often because of her work with the Newtown VNA, and I attended many meetings with her. But she was active in so many things, it’s almost impossible to recall any specific interactions — every time you encountered Mae Schmidle it was memorable. I will miss her very much.”

Former Selectmen Sentiments

Former First Selectman Pat Llodra recalled first meeting Mrs Schmidle in 1972, and freely admits she “did not know quite what to make of this woman in red who seemed to know so much, care so much, and be so ready to lend a hand.

“I soon learned that behind the blonde curls, the dashes of red, the ever-present smile and readiness for fun was a woman of incredible substance,” Mrs Llodra said. “Mae Schmidle was the quintessential class act — her contributions are many, all performed with a spirit of love for community and an indisputable touch for getting things done with flair and purpose. Newtown has lost a force of nature unlikely to be seen again.”

Former First Selectman Herb Rosenthal shared remarks he also posted to his son, current First Selectman Dan Rosenthal’s Facebook page: “Mae loved and served Newtown well in countless ways for many years. On a personal note, Mae and Bob were friends of my parents and I have been fortunate to have them as friends, as well. Mae was a source of advice and encouragement during my years as First Selectman. She will be missed. May she Rest in Peace.”

One of the many touching social network posts about Mrs Schmidle came from her neighbor, Christine Fairchild, who wrote, “Mae was one of a kind and I had the privilege of being her neighbor on Echo Valley for 19 years. She opened her home for all of us on holidays, we sang Christmas carols and decorated a tree on the green in front of her home. She made every occasion special and of course her trademark color, red, for her clothes, her car, and her bath [tub], she was truly one of a kind and what wonderful things she did for Newtown throughout her beautiful life.”

Dr Della Schmid, who co-chaired the Newtown Health & Safety Fair for several years with Mrs Schmidle posted: “What a sad day to hear of Mae’s passing, but can only remember her passion for promoting health and wellness to this community. Always a pleasure to work with over the years, no one could every replace Mae, an icon.”

The Schmidle family received permission to temporarily wrap a red ribbon— representing Mrs Schmidle’s trademark color — about the flagpole on Main Street she was so proud to protect. On Monday afternoon, April 29, equally large red ribbons were affixed to trees in front of Honan Funeral Home, hours before Mrs Schmidle's wake was due to begin. A garland of greens and red flowers was also affixed to the hand rail leading to the front door of the funeral home.

The Newtown Bee will update this article as added remarks become available. Feel free to provide comments and remembrances of Mae Schmidle on our Facebook page, and look for expanded coverage and Mrs Schmidle’s obituary in this week’s print edition of The Newtown Bee.