Obituaries

Elizabeth Esther Justice Schmidt, 68, of Redmond, Washington passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and her labradoodle on April 12, 2023, ending her final bout with pancreatic cancer. She fought a 9-month long battle with grace, joy, gratitude, love, faith, and great support from her loved ones. Elizabeth maintained an inspirational focus on enjoying the beauty, the relationships, and the good in each of her days.

Elizabeth was born on July 1, 1954 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, into the family of Harold and Kathryn Justice, along with 8 siblings.  She spent her youth in Cedar Rapids and Robins, Iowa, graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1972.  She then attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In her early 20s she relocated to the Seattle area with the love of her life, Gene Schmidt.  They were married January 26, 1980 and enjoyed 27 years of marriage together, until the life altering loss of her husband to the same pancreatic cancer.  During their time together, they were blessed to welcome two children into the world, Justin and Joanelle Schmidt, whom were the center of Elizabeth’s world.

Elizabeth kept her heart fulfilled with growing and tending to expansive gardens at her homes in Woodinville, Snohomish, and Kirkland, spending hours at the horse stables, and cooking for her family and friends. She also loved downhill skiing at her local mountain, Steven’s Pass, exploring the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, paddle boarding on Lake Sammamish, and volunteering with the youth group, singing in the choir, and attending bible study at her church. She shared her full heart with others through her part-time work at Overlake School, as a nanny, and as an in-home caregiver. Most of all, Elizabeth loved sharing time and making connections with family and friends, while having a dog by her side.

Elizabeth was always up for being a travel companion to her husband, kids, siblings, cousin, and in-laws. She enjoyed annual journeys to Hawaii and back home to the Midwest.  She also enjoyed beach trips to Mexico and California, and exploration trips to Europe.

In Elizabeth’s final years, she was thrilled with and devoted to her two grandsons Rainier and Bode. She loved being a mother and grandmother. And she was darn good at it too! We all wish she would have had more time on this earth to experience life and grow with us. We love you with all our hearts and miss you!

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her adored husband, Gene Schmidt, sister, Joan Spilde, godchild, Jacqueline Maxwell, parents, Harold and Kathryn Justice, and parents-in-law, Eugene and Marjorie Schmidt.  She is survived by her children Justin Schmidt (Julia Winkel) and Joanelle Schmidt (Greg Burton), grandsons Rainier and Bode WinkelSchmidt, siblings Robert Justice, (Ruth), (Daryl Spilde), Barbara Stumbo (David), John Justice (Patty), James Justice (Sherrie), Mary Johnson (Perry), Janice Hartman (Randy), Christine Awbrey (Mark), in-laws, Michael Madden (Linda Anderson), David Schmidt (Lynn), Jeff Schmidt (Melissa), Mary Greenwood (Ray), Anne Homan, Mike Schmidt (Ay), Juliane Schmidt (John Caunt), and many loving cousins, in-laws, out-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Rose Hill Church, 12202 Northeast 90^th Street, Kirkland, Washington on Saturday, July 1^st at 1:00 p.m. Followed by a private event at the Woodmark Hotel.