Jodi Lea Schmidt passed away at home on February 19, 2025 at the age of 50. Over the preceding week, family had come from all over the country to see her, and she was surrounded by love when she left us.
Jodi grew up in Litchfield, Connecticut, the oldest daughter of Arthur and Eileen Schmidt, and sister of Emily Schmidt. She attended Litchfield High School where she swam and played field hockey, but her first love was art. After graduating, she attended St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, where she met Peter Smith, her partner for the rest of her life. After transferring to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she graduated with a degree in Art Education, and then obtained a masters degree in Education from Framingham State. Throughout her career as an elementary school art teacher, in the Worcester, Melrose, Milton and Boston public schools, she touched the lives of countless students and was a mentor to many colleagues. She took teaching seriously. She turned her home into a workshop and a laboratory (and sometimes her family into guinea pigs), overflowing with supplies, tools, samples, lesson plans, art books and picture books. She taught her students about color theory, perspective, texture and composition and highlighted female artists and artists of color in her challenging and always evolving lessons. But she also believed in the importance of art class as a respite for kids, and as a chance for them to have fun and to be themselves. She brought this spirit also into every part of her life- her home was brightly colored and full of art, along with innumerable eccentric clocks and random old toys, and there would often be a friend sitting at the kitchen table sharing snacks and drinks at the end of the day. Depending on the time of year she would have friends and neighborhood kids over to make valentines, or decorate Easter eggs, or make sugar skulls, and people would hang out for hours and share conversation, food and drinks. When cancer had spread throughout her body, and she was told the treatment was about to get a lot harsher, she rented out a building and threw a massive dance party with all of her favorite music and invited everyone she knew.
She loved to travel with friends, and to read, and could always be counted on for a good science fiction recommendation. She was active in her community, working for the arts non-profits Extras for Creative Learning, which she led for several years, and Roslindale Open Studios, which she helped organize each year.
She was survived by her parents, her sister, Emily, her husband, Peter, who fell madly in love with her when they were both teenagers and was with her until the end, her two children, Esmé and Julian, whom she adored, and her dog Chowder, the most recent of her English bulldogs, with whom she had something of a love-hate relationship. She also leaves behind her LaFrance cousins; cousins Sarah and Jess Tabaka; grandmother Jane Falcone; in-laws Anne and Ed Smith, Jeff Smith and Jee Kim-Smith; niece Skylar and nephew River; Aunt Linda Searles; Aunt Ruth and Uncle Don LaFrance; and cherished friends and colleagues too numerous to mention by name.
Her family and friends will get together to remember her on her birthday, March 2, from 2-5 pm, at the Substation in Roslindale. There will be snacks and drinks. No need to wear black. That was not Jodi’s style. Come as you are or channel your inner art teacher and get colorful.
In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to your local arts non-profit in her name or to your local public school.