Mary Alice Schmader, 82, of Lucinda, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1st in her home, surrounded by family. She was just one month shy of her 83rd birthday.

Born on August 31, 1942, on the family farm in Lucinda, she was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Mildred J. (Lander) Judy. Mary Alice was a graduate of St. Joseph's School in Lucinda, where she was a dedicated and gifted student. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Church, where she also sang in the church choir, something she took great joy in throughout the years.

She married Leonard Schmader at St. Joseph's Church in Lucinda. Together, they raised three children before divorcing. In her early years, Mary Alice worked as a waitress at the Wolf's Den in Knox, PA, and managed the office and did accounting for both of her husband's businesses, KIT Industries, Inc. and Peerless Communications. She had a lifelong passion for sewing, quilting and design, even sewing her own wedding dress. That creative spark led her to work at JanLanArts (later Country Bear Creations), a quilt shop in Lucinda, where her artistry truly flourished. She designed award-winning applique quilts and shared her talent as a quilting instructor.

Mary Alice was lovingly known as Lucinda's "historian." She played a key role in writing both A Proud People, A Proud Heritage and The Schmader Family History Book. Many sought her out for her deep knowledge of local history and genealogy, and she was always generous with her time and expertise. She had a sharp memory and quick wit when it came to family and community facts.

A natural caregiver, Mary Alice, lovingly cared for her mother prior to her passing. In her later years, she extended that same compassion to others, working as a caregiver for two individuals in the Lucinda community. Her kindness, patience, and positive spirit brought comfort to those she cared for, and her uplifting attitude inspired many.

Above all, Mary Alice's greatest joy was her family. She was deeply proud of her children and adored her grandchildren, traveling far and wide to visit them. Whether cheering from the sidelines at sporting events, applauding at dance recitals, playing cards over skype, or welcoming her first great-grandchild this year, she was a constant, loving presence. She enjoyed playing games with her grandchildren, though she always reminded them that she wasn't going to let them win easily; there were lessons to be learned.

She cherished her friendships, especially with her beloved "card club" ladies and the Red Hat group. They brought joy, laughter, and lifelong companionship.

Mary Alice loved going out for dinners or hosting meals with her family and friends. An exceptional cook, her twice-baked potatoes, pretzel salad, and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts were family favorites. No salad, she insisted, was complete without tomatoes, "More tomatoes, please."

Mary Alice lived a life filled with love, creativity, laughter, and service to others. Her legacy is one of warmth, wisdom, and unwavering kindness. She will be missed deeply by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children, Paul (Jill) Schmader of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Janine (Richard) Troese of Lucinda, PA; and Tanya "Toni" Schmader of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Ryan (Braylin) Schmader of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Justin Schmader of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Antonio (Haley) Troese of Pittsburgh, PA; Alessandra (Jacob) Burns of Shippenville, PA; and Hazen Bedke and Ivy Bedke both of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Also surviving is one great grandchild, Lucille Troese, of Pittsburgh, PA.

She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings, Frank (Gloria) Judy of Franklin, PA; Dolores "Nunny" (Jerome) Schmader of Lucinda, PA; and Patricia Holford of Westminister, MD; sister-in-law, Bobette "Bobbi" Judy of Marienville, PA. She is survived also by numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great- great nieces, great-great nephews and her cherished quilting and church communities.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Joseph Judy, a brother Joseph Judy and a sister Sr. M. Margoretta Judy, O.S.B. and a brother-in-law James Holford.

We welcome family and friends to join us for a viewing on Friday, August, 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph's Church in Lucinda with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Father Michael Polinek presiding. Interment will take place at the St. Joseph's Cemetery immediately following the service, the family invites everyone to join them for lunch and to share stories about Mary Alice's life at the Antler Club in Lucinda.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses at the Butler Hospital in Clarion and the Clarion Forest VNA hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the St. Joseph School, P.O. Box 9, Lucinda, PA 16235 or the Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214 in her honor.