Our beloved mother passed peacefully into the spiritual realm in the early morning of August 30th, 2019 surrounded by family. Her last moments were filled with music, prayer and love.
Nona was 88 years old, predeceased by her husband, Philip Schmalenberg and survived by 5 children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of her Life will be held on Wednesday, September 4th at 2 pm followed by a reception at 4:30 pm at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Royal Oak location, Victoria. Interment will take place at the Baha’i cemetery at Hatley Memorial Gardens at 3:30 pm after the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers Nona’s family requests that you make donations to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia in her memory. Notification ecards may be sent to celiamei@yahoo.com
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
21 Responses
Sending our deepest condolences to all of you at this difficult time. It is so lovely that you were all able to be with Auntie Nona when she passed and she was surrounded with so much love! Sending you our love and remembering fondly all of the wonderful memories we have with your family when we all go together for visits! Love to all of you!! Auntie Alice, Andy, Darcy, Adam, Amanda , Danny, Todd, Nikki and Dean!
May your hearts that carry the weight of longing also be lifted up with happy memories. She is someone that I only remember with a smile on her face.
Dearest Nona…. how could one possibly not love her. Beautiful inner and outer beauty. Such a radiant smile and the kindest eyes. She has left a wonderful legacy in her large family. How it brings joy that she will be reunited with her beloved husband. You could never bring one to mind without thinking of the other. Greg and I send our warmest love and prayers
My deepest condolences to your family. I only had the pleasure of knowing your mom a short time while she shared meals and activities with my mom. She had such grace, a winning smile and eyes that danced! May you all find peace in your memories.
To Nona’s Family
Our deepest love and sympathy to you all. Your mother/ grandother/ great grandmother is truly blessed for all the loving, sacrificial services she rendered gently and consistently throughout her lifetime. She was a kind and radiant soul, and will be remembered as a sweet friend to so many people. We are happy to know and love her and Phil. The treasures of their parenting live on in all of you.
With love, Lynn Echevarria and Larry Brown
Dear Joy, Celia, Pat and all other children and family members- such sweet memories of this matriarch full of humour warmth and love for everyone. I visualize her being lovingly embraced by those who have gone before. Much love and prayers for the progress of her soul.
“Let the angels of Thy loving-kindness descend successively upon her and shelter her beneath Thy blessed tree.” – ‘Abdu’l Baha.
Nona herself was an angel of loving-kindness, and oh! how she made us laugh. We in Duncan have missed both Nona and Philip since they moved to Victoria; they were definitely the salt in our stew!
Condolences to all the family, and prayers for the progress of this dear radiant soul in the next world.
Nothing but fond memories of such a sweet, gentle and warm-hearted lady. My family and I offer our prayers for your journey through the Abha Kingdom. Much love and condolences to the Schmalenberg family!
Nona was an example to us all with her gentle spirit, love of the family and eternal service.
She will now be together with her beloved husband. Hers was a life truly well lived.
Her love will continue to surround her family and also others who were close to her.
Love and prayers for this gentle soul and also healing for the family.
Dear Family of Nona, you are so fortunate to have Nona for your grandma/ mom/ great grandma/ auntie . My family are so lucky to have her for a dear spiritual friend and life of the party Baha’i exemplar. Really those were my mom’s brightest times to have their music and to have them be part of our daughter Alicia’s wedding celebrations, I still remember Phillip’s “Listen to your wife” advice with a ton of twinkly eyes and sparkling humour and happy delightful music. Thinking of Nona has brought music creation to our home – since Friday we’ve put on a childrens musical play, composed a song and presented it to Baha’i artists. We crossed paths with Nona’s family in various places, China, BC, Ontario, God bless you all, with hugs and love and gratefulness,