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Christine Calvin SCHMITZ

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University of Arizona Calexico High School

Christine SCHMITZ Obituary

SCHMITZ, Christine Calvin died November 11, 2016 in Spokane, Washington at the age of 74 after a brief journey with cancer. Christine was born in Lubbock, Texas, raised in Mexicali, Baja California and graduated from Calexico High School and the University of Arizona. A resident of Tucson since 1959, she made a temporary move to Spokane for medical treatment and to be closer to family. She is preceded in death by her former husband, Dr. Donald Schmitz, DDS (d 2008), and whom she married in 1963. She is survived by her children, Dr. Miguel (Jennifer) Spokane, WA; Kish (Paul) Pisani, Naperville, IL; Paul Schmitz, Bend, OR and John (Stephanie), Golden, CO. All four children are graduates of Salpointe. She's "Nana" to Amanda, Thomas and Sarah Schmitz, Danielle and Louis Pisani, Mojo Schmitz and Hannah Christine and Jake Schmitz. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Travis H. Calvin of El Centro, Calif., sister, Linda Calvin of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and nieces and nephews in California, Wisconsin and Illinois. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Travis and Marguerite Calvin. An interior designer and adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College, Christine was active in the American Society of Interior Designers and participated in several design show houses in Tucson and in various leadership roles with the ASID. Christine was a woman of adventure and style and could transition from shooting a rattlesnake to throwing a dinner party in the same day. She was proud of her children and grandchildren and their academics, sports activities and careers, and she was always on the sidelines or organizing a team gathering. She was an early member of the Salpointe PEACE Club (aka Parent's Association). The Schmitz children wish to thank Cancer Care Northwest and Hospice House Spokane. Christine's cremains will be buried with her parents on her birthday, Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DuPage Valley Special Athletes Scholarship Fund, an organization benefiting athletes with special needs (dvspecialathletes.org) started by her daughter's family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Nov. 20, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Christine SCHMITZ

31 Entries

Robert Wylie

November 5, 2021

Every time I lift a pencil I think of Christine who was an inspirational teacher and encouraged my drawing in spite of my tremor. To draw is a great consolation and I am thankful to Christine for the confidence she gave me to do it. The memories are all fond ones.

Clarita Burke

January 2, 2017

Chris specialized in inspired design. She was a rebel and did her own thing. Her design was a reflection of her spirit and her intellect. She will be sorely missed in the design community in Tucson, Arizona. She and I worked on a wonderful project at Saint Elizabeth and Seton church together. We were on the building committee for three years. Every time I sit in that church and look at the altar furniture we designed, I smile. Chris, you are most likely redesigning heaven right about now! I'm sure you are working on the scale and color! Sending Love to her family.

Debbie Hanson

December 7, 2016

Very saddened to hear this news. Chris was a lovely person inside and out. She loved her children and was very proud of their accomplishments. We had many wonderful times together grading the NCIDQ exams in Phoenix. A talented designer and friend.

Frankie Arnold

November 30, 2016

Sad to hear of her passing. Chris was a great teacher and I'm so glad to have had the chance to learn from her. She was a treasure trove of information, skill, and talent. She will be greatly missed.

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Sharon Hass

November 29, 2016

A wonderful lady that was always available to lend a helping hand. She was a good friend and colleague. She will be missed. So sad to hear of her passing.

Linda Britt

November 29, 2016

Chris was a good friend and designer with lots of talent and personality. I'm sorry to hear of her passing. We had lots of good times in ASID.

Phil Holman

November 28, 2016

Mick, sorry for your loss, our family will keep you and yours in our prayers.

Vicki Somerville

November 28, 2016

I was a student of Christine's and am sad to hear of her passing. May your memories comfort you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Céline Fisk

November 28, 2016

I'm am so sad to hear of Christine's passing. I was a student of hers from 2001-2004 at Pima College and always thought that she was a fantastic teacher. She was very gifted in the arts of sketching, drafting and design. I use the tools she taught me on a daily basis in my career and many of my friends and clients have heard me speak fondly of my 'amazing teacher Christine from Tucson'.

Gary Wagnon

November 27, 2016

So sorry to hear of Chris' passing. She was a longtime client.

November 27, 2016

So sorry to read of you loss. Your Mom and I had many good times together.
Kathleen Gray, Albuquerque, NM

Mario Anguiano III

November 22, 2016

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Mario Anguiano III
Class of '82

Cheryl Mason

November 22, 2016

Sending my prayers and thoughts.

William Islas

November 22, 2016

Mickey and all the family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss

Kay and Tony Wernert

November 22, 2016

Sending our thoughts to John, Stephanie and the rest of the family. We enjoyed spending time with Christine in Steamboat Springs and getting to see her energy and enjoyment of family.

Robert's thank you graduation lunch

November 22, 2016

November 21, 2016

Mary and Steve Pero

November 21, 2016

We send our love and prayers to all of you. We enjoyed knowing Christine.

November 21, 2016

Sorry to hear about your mom KIsh ... She sounds like a wonderful lady. And you look just like her, by the way. Sincere condolences to you, Paul, Danielle and Louis from the Ryan family.

Salpointe Catholic High School

November 21, 2016

The Salpointe Catholic High School community extends deepest sympathy to the Schmitz family. You are in our prayers at this difficult time.

Dennise Vaughn

November 21, 2016

What a vibrant woman your mom was! I only had the chance to meet her recently, but was enthralled with her beauty, her strength, her confidence and her spirit. She leaves an amazing family to carry on her legacy. Much love to all of you.

Greg Fox

November 20, 2016

The Fox family continues a relationship with the Schmitz clan fostered from next door neighbors in 1971. Mrs Schmitz often inherited an additional 9 neighborhood kids (Hayes's and Foxes) during the summer months in Tucson. She was always welcoming and warm with a heavy disciplinary hand. Her quick wit and knowledgeable opinion will be missed.

Robert Wylie

November 20, 2016

As a former student I learned a lot from Chris and her sympathetic teaching style. I especially admired her wit, sense of irony and creativity. I cannot lift a crayon without thinking of her and remembering her intuitive instruction. She was fabulous social company and gave everyone she met her undivided and genuinely interested attention. Condolences to her family.

Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results