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Rose Marie 'Toni' (Alegria) Schmidt

Rose Marie 'Toni' (Alegria) Schmidt
Rose Marie 'Toni' (Alegria) Schmidt

2018/03/03 - Monterey, AEB

(2018ko abenduaren 20an Appeal Democrat, Legacy.com-en argitara emaniko heriotz-oharra)

Rose Marie (Toni) Schmidt was born to Basque immigrant parents, Pio Juan Alegria and Antonia Villanueva, on January 1st, 1917.

She spent her childhood in many different cities in the United States, Mexico and Spain. She was fluent in Basque, Spanish, and English.

Upon her graduation from high school, she enrolled in Dominican School of nursing in Stockton, CA. After completing her RN degree, she received a private scholarship for post graduate work at Stanford University School of Nursing in San Francisco, CA. After graduating from Stanford, she was chosen as one of the first migratory labor camp nurses.

Toni became a clinic nurse for the Farm Security Administration's medical program, the Agricultural Workers, Health and Medical Association. She was assigned to all territory north of Stockton to the Oregon border. Her responsibilities covered migratory camps, clinics and public health needs of the migrants.

During that time John Steinbeck was doing research for his book, Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck spent time touring the migrant camps with Toni. She helped him with research and communication with the migrants.

Following her tenure with the Farm Security program, she became a part time RN at Rideout Clinic in Marysville, CA. While in Marysville, she met her husband, William (Bill) Schmidt. At the beginning of WWII Bill and Toni moved to McClellan Air Base.

In January 1942, Toni gave birth to their first child, Judith. In April 1945 the second daughter, Joyce, was born.

Shortly after the war ended the Schmidt family moved back to the Marysville, Yuba City area.

At that time, Toni became a part time school nurse and volunteer for the Red Cross. During the Christmas season in 1955, Yuba City suffered a devastating flood. The Red Cross placed Rose Marie (Toni) in charge of the relief effort for health and safety of the Victims' Recovery Unit.

Shortly after the culmination of the Red Cross recovery program the Schmidt's moved to Stockton, CA. Bill had been tasked to head the Bank of America integration program.

After settling in their new home, Toni went to work as an industrial nurse at the Tillie Lewis factory. After a few years she went back to part time nursing for the Stockton Unified School District. At this time she became very active in her daughters' school activities. She spent many hours volunteering for school functions and sports events.

In 1966, Toni's husband was transferred to Monterey, CA. They immediately integrated into the Peninsula community. Both Bill and Toni became involved in numerous city projects and served on a number of boards. Their primary focus was Parks and Recreation and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Bill and Toni cared greatly about the natural beauty of the Peninsula. They worked to preserve its natural state while allowing for tourism and inevitable growth.

Always interested in golf, they were now able to indulge their interest. They played in tournaments and worked on different events. Bill served on the MPCC Board for a number of years. During this time, Toni pursued her interest in Public Health and cultivated her talent in art. She became the first Ombudsman for long term care facilities in Monterey County. She was instrumental in helping to create new guide lines and regulations for senior care in senior residence facilities.

Toni also became a well known artist and was well integrated in to the local art community. She had numerous showings and received a number of awards and commendations.

One of her civic projects was to help establish a K9 unit for the city of Monterey. She received recognition and commendations for her endeavors in this project, even though the K9 Unit was short lived.

Rose Marie spent her retirement years as a member of the Monte Vista neighborhood board. With the help of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department and the neighborhood board she was able to make many improvements to Via Pariso and Quarry Park.

Rose Marie (Toni) transitioned from this life peacefully on March 3, 2018, at the age of 101. A private celebration of life mass was held at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Stockton on March 12, 2018.

She is predeceased by Bill, her husband of 72 years, her brother, John Alegria and grandson Dean Mazzera. She is survived by her daughters, Judith Mazzera and Joyce Schmidt, her son-in-law, Gary Mazzera and grandson David Mazzera, his wife and family

Send condolences to www.appealdemocrat.co



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