M. Eileen Schmitt, MD died June 21, 2015 after a brief illness.

She was born and raised in the Germantown section of Philadelphia by her parents, Clara and Paul McDyer.

After graduating from the Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, she joined the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, who afforded her the opportunity to further her education at D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and the Medical College of Philadelphia.
While with the Grey Nuns, she taught in schools in Jackson Heights, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Following the completion of her residency at the Wilmington Medical Center, Dr. Schmitt spent more than 30 years involved in the practice of family medicine in Wilmington. In l997, she continued years of personal commitment to St. Francis Hospital, first as Vice President of Medical Affairs and later as CEO.

In 2001, she became the Director of the St. Clare Outreach Van and provided full health care services to the homeless and uninsured until 2007. Prior to her retirement this past December, she came full circle. Dr. Schmitt was eagerly welcomed by patients and staff as she returned to work with Family Medicine at Greenhill, the practice she cofounded in 1983 with her friend, Dr. Stephanie Malleus.

Dr. Schmitt influenced the medical community in the Wilmington area and beyond. As a volunteer, she taught medical students and residents and provided service to the migrant worker clinics in Delaware.
Always a proponent of the poor, she generously gave of her time and talent by serving on the Boards of Directors of the Ministry of Caring, Sacred Heart Village, and the Mother Teresa House. She also served as a member of the St. Francis Hospital Foundation Board, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors of Archmere Academy. She was a founding member of the Review Board of the Diocese of Wilmington.

At the national level, Dr. Schmitt served as a member of the Hope Ministries Board which was responsible for the sponsorship of eight hospitals and one nursing home in the Catholic Health East Healthcare System.

In recognition of her public service, Dr. Schmitt received honorary degrees from Neumann University, Aston, Pennsylvania, and D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington honored her with the Monsignor Reese Award, and Pope John Paul II awarded Dr. Schmitt with the Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice medal.

This listing of achievements reflects those of an accomplished woman.

More important than her accomplishment was her integrity. Dr. Schmitt was an extraordinarily modest person who exerted strong influence and strong leadership. She was tirelessly committed to her patients, her many loyal friends, her pets, and to seeing the world.

Dr. Schmitt respected the innate dignity of all life. She was captivated by new understandings of the world, the universe, the multiverse.

She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Clara and Paul McDyre, and her long time dear friend, Eileen M. Poorten. She will be sorely missed by many friends and grateful people for whom she had the privilege to care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Friday, June 26, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 1012 North French Street, Wilmington. A visitation will take place at the church from 10:00-11:00 am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ministry of Caring, 506 North Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 or Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 1750 Quarry Road, Yardley, PA 19067.

Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home
302.994.9614
www.delawarefuneral.com