Plan for the Future
Miriam Kalczuk Schmidt, a loving mother and long-time resident of Chatham, NJ, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY at the age of 61.
Miriam was born on August 30, 1961 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. She immigrated to the United States in 1967 where she resided in Irvington, NJ with her devoted family, including her parents (Nadiejda & Wasily) and two brothers (George & Claudio). Miriam and her immediate family, and extended family, belonged to The Ukrainian Evangelical Church, Assemblies of God where they practiced their faith and participated in youth group. She attended Grove Street Elementary School and Irvington High school where she excelled in academics and athletics such as spelling bees and volleyball. Shortly after graduating in 1980, she was off to pursue a promising career in the field of business & accounting. However, this career was quickly replaced by fulfilling the duty of being a committed mother to her two beloved children (Nicole & Jesse).
When Miriam was not graciously playing the role of maintaining a home for her family and guiding her two kids through life, she regularly participated in various hobbies and activities that she enjoyed. She had a deep passion for cooking in which she would make delicious meals that combined old family recipes, culture, and her own personal taste. When not exercising her creativity while cooking, she enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts that included making wreaths, painting, and sewing. On days with beautiful weather you could find Miriam consistently outdoors going on walks around town, enjoying the sun, and warmly greeting neighborhood friends. As someone who was extremely family oriented, most summers you could find her traveling to see her beloved nephews, or soaking up rays at a beach with loved ones.
Miriam was an avid animal lover who shared her affection with all various types of wildlife. Her love could be felt by common outdoor wildlife, as well as her own four-legged family, and everything in between. She would on many occasions take time out of her day to tend to injured squirrels, birds, bunnies, and anything that she could possibly find that she thought she could help. While also aiding outdoor wildlife, she would also spend much of her time volunteering at Husky House, the shelter in which her adored fur grandchildren, Shiloh, Maya, and Tasha were adopted.
Miriam is survived by her beloved children, Nicole and Jesse. Her four-legged grandchildren, Shiloh, Maya, Tasha, and Penelope. Her mother, Nadiejda Kalczuk (Deceased), her father, Wasily (Deceased), her brothers George (Teresa) & Claudio (Joy), and several nephews, great niece, aunts, uncles and cousins.
