Grey Bedford SCHMIDT

SCHMIDT Grey Bedford Grey Bedford Schmidt, 80, of Whitehouse, OH, died peacefully May 1, 2012, in her home, of colon cancer. She was born June 17, 1931, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Russell and Grey Bedford. Grey married George A. Schmidt on August 14, 1954, in Greenwich, CT. Grey was a camp counselor at Camp Hanoum in VT, an experience that gave her memories and friends her entire life. She graduated from Adelphi College of New York, as a Child Educator. She taught at Willard Day School In Troy, NY, and was a full-time mother to George Andrew, Jr. (Giuliana) of Italy, Pamela Grey (Rick Gondella) of Virginia, Leslie Katherine of California, and Christopher Bedford (Denice Breaux) of California. While raising her children in Birmingham, MI, she filled her life with volunteer work at the pediatric ward at St. Joseph's Hospital in Pontiac, MI. She and her husband George filled their house with foreign exchange students, teenagers who needed extra love, and adults from other countries. Grey was a member of St. James, and then Nativity churches in Birmingham, MI. Grey and George moved to Ohio in 1983, living in Waterville and then Whitehouse. Grey was a hospice volunteer for 30 years and a Music Docent at the Toledo Museum of Art. She cared for Geordy until his death from Parkinson's in 2005. She continued to share her love of animals, getting her dog Diva certified as a visiting therapy dog, and combined this with teaching children to read with "Paws to Read" a Reading is Fundamental Project. She also volunteered at Nature's Nursery, learning to care for and share the raptors. Grey was a member of St. Paul's and St. Timothy's Episcopalian Churches in Perrysburg. Grey loved to travel, and went to Scotland, Italy, Hawaii, the Mediterranean and many other places. She took the train to California to visit grandchildren, always taking the long, scenic route so that she could continue learning. She never met a stranger, and would arrive full of stories and new friendships. Music was a gift to Grey. She graced many church choirs with her voice, played the piano, and encouraged children to find music in art and in bird songs. She loved to attend the symphony, and taught her family to love and appreciate music. She was a gardener, Detroit Red Wings Fan, and wonderful neighbor. She is survived by her brother, Russell Bedford (loved and known as Ditto). Her love for children inspired her own, and she is survived by grandchildren, Sandra, Erika, and Karen Schmidt, Grey, Parker, and Cody Gondella; Claire, Ben, and Mabel Herrick, and Dorian and Rowin Breaux, and great-grandchildren, Georgio and Julie Schmidt. A memorial service will be held at St. Timothy's in Perrysburg on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations in Grey's name to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or Nature's Nursery. Arrangements entrusted to Peinert Funeral Home, Whitehouse, OH. To leave an online memory visit www.peinertfuneralhome.com