MaryLou Schmitt, 82, of Boise, passed away September 22, 2023.
Mary Lou was born in Chattanooga Tennessee. She was a very active, precocious child. Her daddy, Charlie Brewton was her idol. He taught her about our Lord Jesus Christ. She loved for him to tell her bible stories. He told her about Adam and Eve and what happened when they ate for the forbidden apple. That they realized their nakedness and covering themselves with grape leaves. She insisted that her dad demonstrate with his hands the size of the leaves. And it went on from there. For such a small child, she had a tremendous appetite. They were on a road trip with her mother Clara in another car. The lunch that they were to eat on the way was with Mary Lou and her dad. She got hungry and asked if she could have a piece of chicken. She ate both of them and he dad did not realize it till they got to where they were to eat lunch. Lo and behold the chicken was all gone and he had to go and get them something else to eat.
Her mother Clara did not really know what to do with this hyper active child. One Sunday afternoon she went into the back yard to see what Mary Lou was up to. She had her mothers wash tub full of water and was in the act of baptizing her dog and cat. She had seen it at church that day and wanted to make sure that they made it into heaven.
In grade school the teachers had their hands full with Mary Lou. She could not sit still. Tied the girl in front of her’s hair to her desk. Spit balls and so on. Much time spent sitting in the corner of the class or out in the hall. With all of that, she got top grades all through school. As she grew older, dance lessons became very important to her. That was recommended by their doctor to use up some of that “excess energy. It helped. She was an A student all through school.
She attended Red Bank High School. By then she started to bloom the beautiful young lady that she became. She was very popular in school. Along with dance she was a cheer leader for the ball team. He Dad bought her the first car. “Henrietta” was a green 53 Plymouth. No one told her that she was to change the oil. She never did.
When she was 17, her fairy tale existence came to a halt. She lost her dad. He was only 53 years old. Shortly there after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She lasted a year before she passed. Then there was a marriage that did not last long. She then married the father of her two sons. Page and Eric. Jack Sausman was transferred to Boise Idaho. That is how she ended up here.
She had several quite prestigious jobs. Boise Cascade for a good number of years. Worked in several divisions. Worked her way up the ladder to secretary for the head of the paper division. Then parts of the company were sold. Her job ended with them. She went to work for Con Kemco and again worked her way up he ladder. From there she went to the firm of Conkemco. Then on to the legal firm of Munther Goodrum. She was there for a number of years and typically worked her way up in the company.
While working at Boise Cascade, she lived up in Garden Valley. Commuted to Boise five days a week. She loved living up there in the woods. She had an A frame house which she added on to. Had a membership to the golf course, a golf cart to get around there with. Also had a couple of snow mobiles.
I want to share with you some of Mary Lou’s art background. She studied at Chattanooga Community College, Hunter Museum of Art, Boise State University and Scottsdale Art School with renowned New York watercolorist, Frederick Wong, also with noted Boise artists: Louis Peck, Dwight Williams, Dan Looney, Denis Ochi, Bill Benson and Gaye Hoopes. Her work was exhibited in numerous juried shows inctuding the N’orthwest Watercolor·Society, Seattle, Wa; and Idaho Watercolor Society, cash awarct winner. She has shown her work at local arts festivals, galleries, in solo exhibitions, businesses and charitable events. Her works are included in many private collections throughout the south, northwest and southwest.
She said “I am my own worst critic and developing the self-confidence and ability to say “I like it .. I love it.. DON’T TOUCH IT WITH THE BRUSH ANY MORE, don’t tear it up and believe that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.” If she painted for others her creativity and spontaneity are not there…it is not her. If the completed creation was challenging and makes her feel good, then it was a success. If others found her paintings interesting or have a positive reaction, then that was a wonderful high unto itself!
She was also a published author and poet. She wrote and published the book titled “Rootin’ Tootin’ Brewton Tales”. She enjoyed painting, writing, rearranging the house, redoing “old chairs”, experimenting with new recipes, causing trouble, and she and I watching a few tv programs.
She and I have been planning on moving out of this valley to go further North. We were looking forward to getting up in the mountains. She so loved living in Garden Valley. Ed intends to do just that.
She is survived by “The love of her life” her husband Ed Schmitt, her sons Page and Eric Sausman and step son Joshua “Josh” Schmitt. I might add as I write this that she also was “The love of my life”. She is greatly missed.
Emai1..anvil45@gmail.com Art website http:/www.maryloupaints.com
Book Purchase www.blurb . com/bookstore/memoirs/Rootin Tootin Brewton Tales
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.