Obituary of Elizabeth Regina Newkirk

Laurel Ann Schmidt, age 65, passed away September 23, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital in Philipsburg, NJ. She was born in Elizabeth and lived in a four room apartment there with her parents, her brother Kirk and sister Alana. These small quarters made for some interesting times; including Laurel's attempt to bathe the family parakeet, "Petey". Laurel battled an eating disorder known as Prader-Willi Syndrome, which affected many areas of her daily life. There was very little known about the disease at that time, which required the family refrigerator to be chained and locked at night. As a youngster, Laurel's family was told she would not live past her teen years, but clearly Laurel had other ideas. She met her challenges with a smile and innocent charm that quickly won over all who knew her. The school systems at the time were not well equipped to deal with Laurel's needs, but thanks to the kindness and patience of Mrs. Rodgers, Laurel was able to attend nursery school. Mrs. Rodgers showed Laurel respect and dignity, and helped her advance in her daily life skills. When nursery school was no longer able to accommodate Laurel, she went to live at the State Home for Girls in Totowa, NJ. The living conditions were less than perfect, and Laurel looked forward to her visits home on weekends. When Kirk finally received his driver's license, it was a special trip for both and a treat for Kirk to be able to drive her back. As New Jersey evolved in how it treated those with disabilities, Laurel's life evolved right along with it. Group homes were established where Laurel and others facing the same challenges could live, work, and gain limited independence for the first time in their lives. Laurel gained self-esteem and was happy to share with anyone who would listen how many envelopes she had stuffed, taking great pride in her work and accomplishments. Laurel had a special talent which, when applied to any repetitive task, flourished. Anyone who knew Laurel would marvel at her uncanny ability to finish complicated jigsaw puzzles in record time. Many times when Kirk offered to help, Laurel would begrudgingly accept, and allow him to ponder the portion of the unfinished puzzle for a while, before ending his torment by dropping in the missing piece he'd spent an hour searching for. Laurel also amazed everyone with her dexterity with playing cards. Like Johnny Bench's ability to palm multiple baseballs, Laurel would combine 4 or 5 decks spread out through both hands and fingers. She would reshuffle the cards at lightning speed to the rhythm of some game only she would understand. Her father was a professional musician and elementary school teacher, and Laurel inherited his love for music, singing along with him as he tickled the ivories. She was especially fond of the song "Frere Jacques". She had a memory like a steel trap when it came to something that interested her, and although it was mostly limited to "please" and "thank you" she enjoyed speaking Korean with her brother in her later years. Laurel spent her summers at her parent's home in Green Pond where she enjoyed fishing from the shoreline and the boat docks. She was pretty good at catching fish, but mostly seemed to simply enjoy being in the sun with the wind in her hair. And when a fish was caught, it was a big event for Laurel. George Bang, a young friend from across the street would be hailed to take and clean the fish so she could have a fresh meal later that day. In remembering Laurel it is important to acknowledge her participation in a study of Prader-Willi Syndrome by Vanderbilt University. The Vanderbilt researchers who adored Laurel have said "her contribution to research will make others with PWS struggle less and live better". She also gave hope to the parents of young PWS children that a long and useful life lays ahead. She proved her doctors wrong not only in making it into her teen years but by being a blessing to her family and all who knew her for 65 years. She will be truly missed and her absence deeply felt. She is predeceased by her parents, Albert Schmidt and Helen Meny, as well as her sister, Alana Corbett. She is survived by her brother Kirk Schmidt and his wife Jane, niece Jillian Filan, great-nephew Christian Schmidt, brother –in-law Robert Corbett and his wife Anita, step-sister Anne Garrison, nephews Andrew Corbett and Leo Garrison and uncles Dwight and Robert Kirkpatrick. Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 29, 2014 at 10:00 am at Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday from 2-5 pm. Donations are being accepted to Warren County ARC, POP Box 389, Washington, NJ 07882.