Erna C. (Loos) Schmitz Essex Jct. Erna Clara (Loos) Schmitz, 89 passed away on Friday February 7, 2014 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington from complications due to congestive heart failure. She was born on May 30, 1924 in Union City, NJ daughter of the late Florus and Ida (Fusinato) Loos. Erna attended Emerson High School in Union City and graduated in June, 1941. Her dream job was at McCann Erickson advertising agency in New York City where she worked as a secretary to an account executive. She married Frederick W. Schmitz on April 19, 1947. She continued her career at McCann Erickson until 1949 when she left to raise her family. When her children were in school, she returned to work at Singer Corporation until she retired in 1990. In May, 1991 she and Fred fulfilled her dream of moving to Vermont and settled in Williston. Shortly after Fred passed away in 1997, she moved in to her daughter Pat’s house in Essex which she called home until her passing. Erna was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, a talented homemaker and a wonderful cook even though she thought not. She loved her Jumbles and especially loved Pat’s two golden retrievers and three cats. She was a voracious reader, especially of biographies and non-fiction until the end. When she was not reading she provided a running commentary on her political shows favoring the Democratic position often sparring with her sister. She could be a Yankee or a Red Sox fan depending on which daughter she was visiting. She was a gentle, generous, loving spirit with a huge heart and the hole she leaves in our families will never be filled. Erna is survived by her sister Hilda M Loos of Colchester, her son Frederick Schmitz and his wife Joy of Sparta, New Jersey; her daughter Kathryn Plageman and her husband Michael of Essex Jct.; and her daughter Patricia Schmitz of Essex. She leaves five granddaughters Kristen Schmitz, Cory Schmitz and her partner Tom Dekorte, Corinne Schmitz Travis and her husband Matt, Elizabeth Plageman and Lindsay Schmitz. She also leaves four great grandsons Jordan Dekorte, Jackson Dekorte, Lincoln Dekorte, and Kylan Travis. Erna was predeceased by her husband Frederick W. Schmitz. The family would like to give special thanks to the caring professionals on McClure 5 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, especially Drs. Shaden Eldakar-Hein and Matthew Vanderloo, nurses Tessa, Teia, Amy and Karen and her palliative care professional Ann Laramee and all of the other team members. This team made our mother’s last days comfortable and we will be forever grateful. We also give a heartfelt thank you to the professionals at the Starr Farm Nursing Home where Erna was warmly cared for after several hospitalizations. The doctor, nurses and physical therapy staff professionally guided our mother’s rehabilitation so she could return home and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We also want to thank Dr. Nathan Ayer and Dr. John Fitzgerald for their tremendous professional counsel and care. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February 14, 2014 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel, 57 Main St., Essex Jct., VT 05452. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, Essex Jct., with Reverend Charles Ranges S.S.E. officiating. Burial will be in the Spring at the convenience of the family in the family lot in East Cemetery, Williston. Memorial contributions in Erna’s memory may be made to a charity of ones choice. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.