Mary Beth Schmidt

Ketchikan resident Mary Beth Schmidt, 53, died Sept. 21, 2012, in Ketchikan.

Mary was born in Missoula, Mont., on Feb. 14, 1959, a Valentine’s Day gift to parents Tom and Mildred Marinan. She attended school and worked for Sears in Missoula until moving to Anchorage in the 1980s. While working for Sears in Anchorage, Mary met Bob Schmidt. They married, moved to Eagle River and had their first and only child, Tyler. The family later settled in Wasilla. Mary continued her education at the University of Alaska, Mat-Su, and received a bachelor’s of arts degree and worked in social services.

Mary worked at the Valley Women’s Resource Center, where she was a strong advocate for domestic violence victims. During her time there, she changed and saved the lives of many people in need. This was the nature of Mary — always helping people and putting others’ needs before her own. In her spare time, Mary made the most of living in the beautiful state of Alaska. She loved to fish, camp and spend time with her family and friends. She had a deep love for dogs and the outdoors.

Surviving by her son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Rachel Schmidt of Anchorage; and brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Lynn Marinan of Missoula, Mont.

Mary’s kind heart was an inspiration to everyone she knew, and she will be greatly missed. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life memorial from 1 to 4 p.m., Oct. 21, at the residence of Bob Schmidt, 1061 E. McAdoo Way, Wasilla.