This was the obituary I wanted to have published, but Newsday charges $25 for every four words, so it was considerably shorter and less detailed. I am working with the Babylon Beacon, a small community newspaper -- they will write a celebration of life story and print it in the near future.

Schmidt, Mildred of Ridge, a 58 year West Islip resident died February 26 at Mather Hospital. She was 79. She was born December 28, 1932 in Freeport to the late Henry and Paula (Griem) Severs. She graduated from Freeport High School and in 1952 moved to West Islip. On September 2, 1956 she married George Schmidt. Millie worked at home transcribing as a court stenographer while raising her family, and in 1980 opened PIP Printing in Bay Shore with her lifelong friend, Claire Bury of East Islip, which she operated until her retirement. She kept up a family tradition of Christmas wreath making throughout her life, and supplied many area nurseries with handmade wreaths every year. She was secretary for the Hanseaten Club of East Meadow, and attended Ascension Lutheran Church in Deer Park. Millie was witty, warm and generous and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 55 years; her son Bob and his wife Gina Giuliano of Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; her son Gary and his wife Stephanie Lebowitz of Hoboken, NJ; her granddaughter Olivia of Hoboken, NJ; her sister-in-law Irene Severs of West Islip; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tom and Rochelle Schmidt of West Islip; her sister-in-law Ann Savage of Florida; her nieces Laura Mattalevich of Oakdale, Gale Lopez of Florida, Pam Savarese of NJ and Kristen Schmidt of West Islip; her nephews Tom Schmidt of CT, Anthony Savage of Florida and Chris Savage of Baldwin; also by cousins, grandnephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her brother, William Severs of West Islip, who died January 6, 2012 and her brother-in-law, John Savage of Baldwin. Services were March 2-3 at the Frederick J. Chapey & Sons West Islip Funeral Home. Internment was at North Babylon Cemetery.

Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation in Millie's honor can consider the Lee Schwarz giving tree at the West Islip public library. Lee was Bob's childhood friend who passed away from leukemia at age 14. Or, you could become a friend of the library.