 ZACHARY, GERTRUDE Albuquerque Business Woman and Philanthropist Gertrude Zachary passed away January 29, 2013 after an extended illness. She was born on November 26, 1937 in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family left Germany during WWII and relocated New York and then to Royal Oak, Michigan where she graduated high school. She enrolled in Michigan State University in 1955 and graduated with a BA in Teaching and minor in German. In 1965, she met and married Dr. Louis A. Schmidt II, and together moved to Albuquerque in 1968. After working as both a flight attendant for United Airlines and a substitute teacher, Gertrude began buying and selling Indian jewelry made by artists she met on the reservation. Those early days ignited a love of handmade jewelry, a love she passed onto her daughter, employees and everyone she touched. In 1974, she met and married Dick Zachary, and it was then that she began manufacturing. She opened her manufacturing operation on Second Street in 1976 and has continued wholesaling from that office ever since. In 1991, she expanded into retail sales - first with the Lomas Store and later with the Nob Hill and Antique Store Downtown. Gertude was well known for her incredible taste and impeccable quality of hand made jewelry and European antiques. She has given generously to the Brothers of the Good Shepherd as well as many other charities and organizations, from All Faiths Receiving Home to local school fundraisers. She will be missed by all those who knew her, yet her legacy and generosity will live on. Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents Julius and Gertrude Witzky. She is survived by her sister, Lilly Barrack; her brother, Hans Peter Witzky; her children, Erica Hatchell and son-in-law Trevor Hatchell, and Louis Schmidt III; her grandchildren, Chelsea Schmidt, Tess Hatchell and Sutton Hatchell; eight nieces and nephews; seven grand nieces and nephews; her dog Zipper "Little Z" and 38 employees. Services will be for immediate family and friends only. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Good Shepherd Center 218 Iron Ave. SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 243-2527 or Brothers of the Good Shepherd PO Box 389 Albuquerque, NM 87102 in Gertrude's name.
|
