Eleanor T. Schmitt

Schmitt, Eleanor T. (née Chiaurro) passed on April 4, 2024 to rest in the arms of angels.  Loving wife of the late Ralph W. Schmitt, cherished mom of Theresa “Terri” Karcher (the late Gary) and Jeanne Harmon (Dave), and beloved grandmother of Jason and Scott Karcher and Francesca Harmon.  Dear daughter, sister, aunt and cousin.   Wonderful friend to many.

Eleanor’s 92 years were busy and never lacked purpose…

♥ She became a Registered Nurse in 1952 and worked at Shriner’s, Jewish, and Barnes Hospitals.  

♥ She always wanted to help others and was an active volunteer with Barnes Hospital cancer patients, tutoring programs for children, the St. Louis City Guardian ad Litem program, Shelter the Children, VOYCE (serving as an ombudsman to ensure the quality of care for people living in long-term care facilities), The Fox Theatre, St. Louis City Block Captain program, and the Goldfarb School of Nursing Alumni Board.  These were not short stints of involvement – she spent 10-15 years with most of these organizations, and it took the pandemic in 2020 to stop her!  

♥ She participated in the Host Family programs for international students at local universities for 35 years and many of those students became life-long friends.

♥ She traveled extensively in the U.S., Western and Eastern Europe, and Asia.

♥ Sometimes life’s simple pleasures were all that she needed – some good fried chicken, Ted Drewes on a hot a day, a cold beer with pizza, or a glass of wine on the front porch to watch the world go by and make sure that everything was good on her block.

Above all else, Eleanor cared for her family – her guidance and encouragement and support and warmth confirmed to us that we were always her #1 priority.

In lieu of flowers, Eleanor requested donations to Every Child’s Hope (https://everychildshope.org/).  This organization has been caring for vulnerable children for 165 years, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Eleanor would want her last wishes to benefit children.

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