Schmit, Gwendolyn Berne
February 12, 1928 — January 28, 2016
Berne Schmit passed away in the Davidson Health Centre in the late afternoon of Jan. 28. Born in Young, Sask., Berne was the second oldest child born to Maitland and Muriel (Easson) Blachford of the Colonsay/Zelma district.
Mom took her early schooling at Colonsay and Ardath schools. Upon graduation she went on to take nurse’s training at the St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing, Saskatoon, graduating in 1949. From there she attended the St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing, Vancouver, receiving a post-graduate certificate in surgery in 1950.
Her nursing career took her to many locations including the Vancouver General Hospital, Weyburn General Hospital, Davidson Union Hospital and then to the Saskatoon City Hospital before again returning to Davidson.
Back at Davidson, she met Bob Schmit and they were married April 7, 1953 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Saskatoon. She and Bob had three children — Laurie, Jim and Denise.
There were many high points in her nursing career, which included being employed as a nurse specialist with Dr. Crosby, a Regina cardiologist flying to various points in Canada and the U.S. to perform surgeries. She was also involved in the planning and layout of the surgical suites in the original 1954 portion of the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon. She later made an application to work in the U.S., but stayed in Canada to look after her mother’s health. Most of all, she enjoyed working in the Saskatoon Public Health Region as a public health nurse covering various rural municipalities and points along Highways 2, 11 and 19.
Berne continued to work on and off at the Davidson Hospital as she and Bob raised their family. In the summer of 1967, she began working full-time as a public health nurse, retiring in May of 1985.
Mom was involved in the community as a member of the Davidson Library Board and the Davidson Prairie View Lodge Board, but most of all she was a compassionate person helping who she could at any time when needed.
Berne was sports-minded, known to play hockey at a young age to playing ball, tennis, bowling, curling and golfing. The love of golf brought home many prizes and many stories. In later years she closely followed sports on television.
Mom also liked to travel – both driving and flying. She visited many points in Canada, the U.S. and beyond, including trips to places like Hawaii, Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Barbados and Jamaica.
Berne enjoyed working on the farm, but most of all enjoyed being outside in the yard and fresh air. The trees, lawns and flowers at the old farm north of Davidson certainly attested to this.
In December of 2003, Bob and Berne moved off the farm and into town. Here she continued to enjoy golf and yard work. As time went on she found herself dedicating more time to caring for Bob and then eventually to her diminishing health. She was able to actively golf into her 87th year. Up until the end she cherished her time with friends, family and enjoyed the occasional outing to the casino.
Berne is survived by her children Laurie, Jim (Allison) and Denise (Lonnie); grandchildren Kelly (Kenny), Rob (Sharmayne) and Kiel; extended family Josh, Melissa and Mykaila; great-grandchildren Blake, Nolan, Evhan, Kacie and Rylyn; Rhyder and Braylee as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; her sister Pat (Keith); her brothers Laurie (Irene), Cam (Donyan), Ian (Barbara), and Bruce (Marline); brother-in-law Doug (Inez) and sister-in-law Betty.
She was predeceased by her husband Bob in 2012, her sister Joan in 2004, her parents, and various in-laws.
At Berne’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service. A celebration of life is tentatively planned for the May 7 weekend. An announcement outlining details will be placed into The Davidson Leader prior to that date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Berne may be directed to the Davidson Golf and Country Club or the Davidson EMS Equipment Fund with cheques made payable to the Town of Davidson.
We miss you already. Rest in peace Mom!
