EAST LONGMEADOW – Christine C. “Tina” (Caldes) Schmidt, 74, of East Longmeadow, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, September 18, 2021. She passed into Eternal Life at her daughter’s home in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Springfield on October 20, 1946, a beloved daughter of the late Steve T. and Chia (Frentzos) Caldes. She was raised in Springfield and graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield. As a child, she worked at her family’s business, The Frentzos Spa, in Springfield. She had later lived in Willimantic, CT, Alexandria, VA and Auburn, MA before returning to Springfield in 1980 where she lived until moving to East Longmeadow in 2018. She was employed in the cafeteria for the Longmeadow School Department. She was a communicant of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield where she also was a member Cathedral choir, the Ladies Philoptochos and was a longtime volunteer of their annual Glendi festival. During her leisure time, she loved making chocolates and her famous hermit treats and traveling and enjoying many cruises with her family. She loved to talk and enjoyed having family and friends at her home for conversation and coffee. Tina fought Diabetes for over 60 years with courage and strength beyond what most could handle and a zeal to live each day to the fullest, which was evident in her infectious smile. She leaves her beloved husband and soul mate, Robert F. Schmidt, Jr. Bob and Tina met while they were both working at Sears & Roebuck in Springfield. Bob was her “boss and the rest is history”. They were married on May 6, 1973 at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield and were blessed with over 48 years of happiness together. She also leaves her two loving daughters, Stephanie D. Orchard and her husband, Joel, of Roslindale and Maria A. Lawrence and her husband, Lamond, of Springfield; her three cherished grandchildren, Anthony and Julianna Orchard and Makayla Lawrence; her dear brother, Charles Caldes and his wife, Susan, of Westfield; her favorite brother in law, Stephen Schmidt and his life partner, John-Dan Durbin, of Medford; her two dear nephews, Christopher Caldes and his wife, Leah, of Grafton and Stephen Caldes and his partner, Jenny Malkowski, of Chico, CA; her dear niece, Katherine McCombs and her husband, Ryan, of Hanover; and her many dear cousins, extended family members and numerous friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her dear brother, Ted Caldes. Tina will Lie in Repose on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11 a.m. in Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2320 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107. Her Committal Service will follow the Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Her funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For those who prefer, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 Saint George Road, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
“MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL”