Helen Marie Schmille

Helen Marie Schmille, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, embraced life as a devoted follower of Christ and as the matriarch of her family that she adored. She passed peacefully with dignity and grace in Albuquerque, her hometown, on January 7, 2018.

She was born on October 19, 1923 in Niangua, Missouri, to Erwin and Lina Dill, one of four siblings. She served her country during WWII working at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Defense Plant in Kansas City, Missouri. She fell in love and married Bernard Schmille, a WWII POW, on August 17, 1946, and had two children, Dennis and Brenda. She worked in various capacities during her career, but her life was her family, faith, church, friends and volunteer service with AARP where she was a Chapter President. She is survived by her son, Dennis Schmille; daughter, Brenda Castello, and her husband, Tom Castello; grandsons, Nathan Castello and his wife, Kristi Castello, Colin Castello, and Max Castello; granddaughters, Larissa Schmille and Danette Koehl; sister, Louise McDonald; brother, Leonard Dill; and sisters-in-law, Elda Paden, Charmaine Schmille and Margaret Dill.

Helen will be celebrated and honored at a private family memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church and interment at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque on January 12, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, P. O. Box 21400, Albuquerque, NM 87154, (505) 266-4473.

The family of Helen Schmille wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to their friends, colleagues and relatives for their love and unwavering support during these challenging times and to Woodmark Memory Care and High Desert Hospice for their compassionate care and attention.