Our dearly beloved Mother, Maria Schmitt Gordon, 87 of Bradenton, Florida, peacefully left this world on June 9, 2022, from within her home having two of her daughters by her side. She was born to Peter and Dorothea Schmitt in Herzogenaurach, Germany on April 29, 1935 and was the youngest of 7 siblings. 

Maria is survived by 4 children: Sylvia Anderson, Lee Gordon, Linda Bell, and Cindy Gordon. She was a proud Oma of 7 grandchildren: Justin Anderson, Kira Anderson, Jessica Smith, Taylor Bell, Jamie Gordon, Mason Bell, and Daryl Bell. She was also a Great Oma of 5 great-grandchildren: Alexa Anderson, Kayla Anderson, Ava Anderson, Emma Anderson, and Isaiah Smith. She was a dear friend to many.   

Maria was a talented seamstress and an exquisite artisan of knitted lace doilies and beautiful tablecloths. Her works won “Blue Ribbons” and “Best in Show” awards at the county and state fairs. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, landscaping, and swimming in her pool. 

She especially loved living in the warm temperatures Florida offered year round. Raising a family on 20 acres during the 60’s and 70’s lended itself to a good life and the best memories ever.  

In honoring her wishes, there will be no service; however, this website was created to celebrate her life and allow friends and family to reflect and share a favorite memory for her family. She had a soft heart for our Veterans having been a U. S. Army dependent in the 1950’s. In lieu of flowers, donations to the DAV or Wounded Warriors Project in her name would be honorable. Guestbook entries help the family heal in their time of sorrow.

Maria often spoke of her Tante Marie Staudigel and said she wanted to be with her again.

Maria’s Message

God works in mysterious ways. A prayer card was found in Maria’s German bible that she kept at her bedside. It reads as follows:

"Safely Home"
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over, 
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth -
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

Born in Herzogenaurach, Germany on April 29, 1935 to Peter and Dorothea Schmitt.