Marcella V. Schmidt's Obituary
Weslaco- Marcella Vasquez Schmidt, 91, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. She was born on January 29, 1934, in Weslaco, Texas, to Leandro Vasquez and Teodora Herrera.
Marcella grew up in Weslaco surrounded by her siblings, Concha, Emilia, Lupe, Gaudencio, and Raul. From an early age, she learned the values of discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic, beginning work in local stores at just twelve years old. These values were instilled by her mother, Teodora, and her grandmother, Maria, who also nurtured in Marcella a deep and abiding faith in the Lord—one she carried throughout her life and passed on to her family.
Marcella graduated from Weslaco High School. She later earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pan American University and devoted nine years to teaching as a bilingual educator in Progreso and Santa Maria.
Marcella had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Along with her work ethic and drive for success, she operated a local store on Illinois Street, Diana’s Boutique, which she named after her daughter. Diana’s became a beloved after-school and neighborhood gathering place, where Marcella supplied candy, gum, ice cream, and soda floats. The community supported her business for many years, and in 1966, Marcella met the love of her life, Walter K. Schmidt Sr., at her store. Their marriage was one of deep devotion and love, lasting 41 years until Walter’s passing in 2008.
Marcella later moved to Maryland to spend time with her son and worked in a nursing home. Eventually, she retired and returned home to Texas.
Marcella enjoyed dancing and music. In her younger years, she and her sisters would light up the dance floor on weekends. She loved being outdoors and working in the yard, and she also enjoyed traveling. She visited her son in Maryland and Georgia, and her daughter and grandchildren in California. Marcella and her youngest daughter, Maryann, also traveled to Europe together, creating priceless memories.
Marcella was a devoted mother, but above all, she was a faithful prayer warrior and a steady source of strength for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Her prayers, guidance, and unwavering faith were the foundation of her home. She read her Bible daily and was always quoting scripture, offering a constant reminder of the importance of faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her parents, Leandro Vasquez and Teodora Herrera; her stepfather, Andres Alaniz; her siblings, Connie Cordova, Emilia Salinas, Lupe Tall, and Raul Alaniz; her nephews, Jose Rene Cordova, Raymond Tall, Hernan Salinas, and Pedro Salinas; and her niece, Guillermina Salinas.
Marcella is survived by her children: Diana Trevino (Jose), Walter K. Schmidt Jr. (Emily), Mark H. Schmidt (Estela), and Maryann Schmidt; her seven grandchildren, Veronica Mahill, Beatriz Hom, Gabriel Trevino, Marcella Bumpus, Melissa Woodard, Natalie Schmidt, and Isaac Schmidt; her thirteen great-grandchildren, Elise, Annalie, Savannah, Malia, Johanna, Nyla, Giovanni, Andrew, Nolan, Micah, Hezekiah, Isaiah, and Joel; her brother, Gaudencio Alaniz (Minnie); her sister-in-law, Vivian Salinas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation for Marcella will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life service at 6:00 p.m. Livestream will be https://youtube.com/live/1rXxhPeBlTg?feature=share. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Marcella’s life will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Chris O’Laughlin of The Cowboy Church of the Valley. Services will take place at McCaleb Funeral Home. Marcella will be laid to rest beside her husband at Highland Memorial Park.
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