Patricia (Sunser) Schmidt

September 18, 1939 - November 23, 2020

Patricia (Sunser) Schmidt, 81, of Liverpool and most recently of Camillus, died Monday, November 23, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital Health Center in Syracuse after a brief illness. She was born in Syracuse on September 18, 1939 to the late Samuel and Agatha “Ida” (Ponto) Sunser. Patricia is survived by her husband Donald Schmidt, her son Christopher Schmidt (Elizabeth), brother Carl Sunser (Penny), and sister Josephine “Joy” Flood. She also has two grandchildren, Henry Francis Schmidt and August Christopher Schmidt, and nieces and nephews Stephanie Sunser, Jason Flood (Ross) and Heather Sunser. Pat was predeceased by her parents, along with father and mother in law William and Marion Schmidt, and brother’s in-law Tim Flood and Gerald Schmidt. Pat initially grew up in East Syracuse prior to moving to Fairmount. She attended Solvay High School, graduating with the Class of 1958. One the proudest days of her life was her acceptance into Syracuse University, from which she later graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1962. After college Patty met Don, and they were married at Holy Family Church on August 3, 1963. Pat and Don settled in Liverpool and made the house their home for over 50 years. Like her mother, Pat loved tending to her gardens and flowers. She planted every tree on the lot and created beautiful areas around the yard full of flowering trees, bushes and plants. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas. She baked more cookies than one could possibly imagine, decorated every nook and cranny of the house, and loved entertaining family and friends. Pat had initially been a teacher after college, but her true creative passion was channeled into the Unique Egg Basket, a business she created with her sister Joy. Pat decorated hollowed eggs of all colors and sizes for nearly 20 years, making ornaments and other designs for sale, and as gifts for family and friends. She and her sister travelled to egg shows all over the northeast, and she had the honor of displaying an egg at the White House for an Easter celebration. Pat was also a president of the International Egg Art Guild from 1981 to 1983. She also enjoyed other craft making including needlepoint, embroidery, bobbin lace, and knitting; and was very involved with numerous other craft groups including her beloved Octagon House of Camillus later in life. Pat, with Don, were very active with the Syracuse Jaycees where they met their lifelong friends. Whether it was continuing her love affair with Syracuse University attending home football and basketball games, road trips to see the teams at away games, family vacations, or the multitudes of get togethers and parties; Pat enjoyed being with her group of friends and always had great fun making years of memories. Family was also very important to Pat. There was always a Sunser family reunion or picnic, a wedding or birthday celebration, a trip to California or the Grand Canyon with Joy and Ida, or just a Saturday night dinner at ‘Ma’s house’ that she loved to attend. In 1973, her family was completed with the birth of her son, Christopher, on whom she doted. She caravanned him from baseball games to golf tournaments and was his biggest cheerleader for everything he did. However, the most special part of her life was her nearly 60 years of marriage to her husband Donald. Whether they were on family vacations to Myrtle Beach or many other locations or just local dinners out, the two were nearly inseparable. She will be missed by all that knew her. Pat was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Liverpool. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, December 1st from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Thomas J. Pirro Funeral Home, 3401 Vickery Rd, Syracuse. Face coverings are required. A short service will be private for family and friends after the calling hours. Her funeral Mass will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in the name of Patricia Schmidt to the Food Bank of Central New York, 7066 Interstate Island Road, Syracuse, NY 13209 or www.foodbankcny.org.