Barbara “Bobsy” Breitenbach Schmidt

Barbara “Bobsy” Breitenbach Schmidt passed away in her sleep at home in Manchester, Vermont on August 19, 2024.  She was born in the Bronx, NY on January 10, 1933 and was an only child.  As a teenager, Barbara was an accomplished figure skater and studied and competed under Dick Button in Lake Placid, NY.  She used to love watching the Olympics and to see some of her skating friends competing.

Many of Barbara’s fondest memories were of her time spent in Camp Elsinore, a German sport club in Berkeley Heights NJ.  She loved competing in fistball and swimming.  It was there that she met many of her closest and lifelong friends with whom she always kept in contact.  She especially enjoyed the reunions they all had together in later years talking about times gone by, singing German songs and reminiscing.

It was through Camp Elsinore friends that Barbara met her future husband Robert Schmidt.  They were married shortly before Robert was drafted and sent to Korea.  When he returned home safely, they took a long honeymoon to Germany so that Barbara could meet his family.

Barbara and Bob lived in Mt Vernon, NY for a few years before moving to Yonkers, NY where they lived for over 30 years.  Barbara was a devoted wife and stay at home Mom where she raised their two daughters, Karen and Heidi.  She had many happy memories of our time spent on Homecrest Oval with our many great neighbors.

Barbara was a beautiful skier and the family spent so many fun times at the ski house in Vermont.  She also had wonderful memories of skiing and partying with all of her many Stratton ski friends. She loved when her grandchildren were old enough to ski with her.

Barbara spent a lot of time sewing and made many of her own clothes and lovely smocked dresses for her grandchildren.  She took up quilting and made some very lovely intricate quilts.

She was a wonderful Grandma/Oma and lived for her time spent with the grandkids and great-grandkids.  Everyone has special memories of evenings spent playing Mensch Argere Dich Nicht. She would always drop everything at a moments notice if any of us needed help or babysitting.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents Rose and Fred Breitenbach and her husband of 71 years, Robert Schmidt. She is survived by her two daughters Karen Ryan (Jim) and Heidi Wardwell, and her 6 grandchildren Jaime Ryan DeLuca (Nick), Kate Ryan Frates (Jonathan), Tom Ryan (Jess), Tricia Wardwell Longo (John), Lauren Wardwell and Robert Wardwell (Allie), and 6 great-grandchildren, Ryan DeLuca, Avery DeLuca, Noa DeLuca, Taylor DeLuca, Jackson Wardwell and Lucy Wardwell.

The immediate family will gather privately to celebrate her life.  Online condolences may be made at Shea Family Funeral Homes, Manchester, VT.