In Memoriam

Dedicated in loving memory to the wives of our Veterans

"I call her, look for her, every time the door opens; in every car that passes our little cottage door, where we anticipated so much joy, I expect to see the loved form of her who was my world. God only can relieve me; nothing on earth can fill the place of her who was to me at once wife, mother, sister, child, guide, and savior. All is dark; I know not where to turn, how to direct the deserted vessel now."

GAMALIEL BRADFORD in As God Made Them

Elsie Manson, wife of Andrew "Scottie" Manson, navigator of the Connolly Crew, 513th Squadron, passed away on St. Patricks Day, March 17, 2004.  Born and raised in New York City, she never lost her accent although she and Scottie have lived outside the city for many years. Our crew gatherings will now be quieter without her colorful personality. She will be sadly missed by all the surviving members of the Connolly crew. 

Mary Anne Roberts, the popular "picture lady" of the 376th for many years, died in Nashville, TN. on November 29, 1999. Mary Anne was the wife of William W.(Bill) Roberts. She was born in Nashville on March 8, 1925. She was a most dedicated person in support of our organization in contribution of time and support of her husband Bill when he was a roving reporter for the group. She always made photographic contributions of many of our events. She will be missed.

Doris Tschirhart Schmid quietly passed away on December 7, 2006 at the age of 86, with her two daughters at her side. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edwin P. Schmid, Col. USAF (Retired), and her parents. Born in 1920 in San Antonio, Doris's travels began at a young age, visiting France regularly with her French mother and native Texan father. She is a Daughter of the Republic of Texas, with deep family roots in Central Texas. Doris met Ed Schmid, the love and light of her life, at a V-J Day celebration in Houston. They married in 1946, beginning their family life, while proudly serving their country.

A loving and supportive wife, homemaker and mother, Doris raised two daughters while graciously fulfilling the duties of the wife of a military officer, and relocating every few years. She always encouraged her daughters to pursue adventures which she had missed. The family lived stateside and abroad before retiring in San Antonio. Ed and Doris later moved to the Texas hill country near Boerne. After Col. Schmid's death in 1988, Doris relocated to Austin to be near her two daughters.  Doris's volunteer interests included teaching low income homemakers, The Green Door Thrift Shop of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Kendall County Historical Society, Boerne Genealogical Society, and Seton Northwest Hospital. Doris was not one for sedentary tasks, and she particularly enjoyed helping nurses and patients in the busy Seton recovery room. Doris closely followed the news and enjoyed lively discussions on current events. While living in the hill country, Doris and Ed continually took in lost, abandoned, and injured animals of all kinds. Doris was passionate about the plight of helpless and abused creatures, great and small, and she supported the efforts of animal rescue, rehab shelters, and wildlife preservation organizations. Doris is survived by her two daughters Mimi Schmid Risinger; husband Ed Risinger, M.D., and Toni Schmid, husband, Gordon Stevenson; and several cousins. The family wishes to thank Doris's special friends - her caring neighbors in Long Canyon, her friend Karen, Rev. Peter NGANGA, and Anna Kago, as well as the caregivers of Hospice Austin.