Irene M. Schmitt

Visitation for Irene M. Schmitt (nee Pahl), 94, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Roselle, IL and Oak Park, IL, will be held Thursday, October 31, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Prayer Service, 11:00 a.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. A Funeral Mass will be said, 12:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine.

Irene was born May 4, 1925 in Adrian, Michigan and passed away Monday, October 28, 2019 in Arlington Heights.

Irene was the beloved wife of the late Jerome A. Schmitt; loving mother of Elizabeth Timmons (Barry Muller), James Schmitt, Mary Anne (Michael) Fleury and Judy (Fiance, Thomas Sexton) Zollner; loving grandmother of Terris Timmons, Miles Timmons, Monte Boyd (step Grandson), Matthew (Nicole) Fleury, Andrea (Joseph) Neumeyer, Colette Fleury, Ryan Fleury, Amelia Zollner; dear daughter of the late Gustav and Helene (nee Nittel) Pahl; fond sister of the late Carl Pahl, the late Margaret Minturn, the late Eunice Ackley, the late Richard Pahl, and Bernard Pahl.

Irene was born and raised on a farm in Adrian, Michigan and grew up during the Great Depression. At an early age she left home for Toledo, Ohio and eventually settled in Chicago, Illinois, where she met and married the love of her life, Jerry. They raised four children together in the suburbs of Chicago.
Irene was a woman of great faith. She followed Jesus’ example and became a strong advocate for those in need. She taught her children to stand up for the underdog, take care of the weak, and feed the poor (literally, as she was known to feed the homeless at her mudroom table when she lived in Oak Park). She was never afraid to speak out in the face of injustice. She was never boastful, but would find ways to help others even when it was difficult and would find joy in doing so. This continues to impact all who knew her.

Irene and Jerry were politically active in the 1960s, hosting dinner parties with much political discussion and actively campaigning door-to-door for those who they believed would create positive change.

Irene shared her Catholic faith with her children and led by example. She continued to lead a prayerful life when she and Jerry joined the St. Francis Borgia prayer group. They very much enjoyed being a part of that community for many years. She loved to play games with her kids and grandkids and she and her husband enjoyed their many trips to Florida and visiting their children in Colorado and New Jersey over the years.

Irene brought forth the light of the Lord in all she did and taught her children to laugh and accept any hand that was dealt to them. She loved her family with all her heart and they love her in return.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated.