Enid Schmuch Passes Away

Enid Louise (Kaler) Schmuch of Reading died at the Daniel’s House Nursing Home on Jan. 14. She was 86 years of age.

Enid was born on October 22, 1931. She was the only child born to Marion and Harold Kaler. She was a resident of Reading for most of her adult life. She grew up in Lynnfield, attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1949. She continued her education by attending and completing college at Boston University.

Enid married Joseph Schmuch in 1955. Enid was primarily a homemaker for her three children but after her third child graduated from High School, she began volunteering for Reading Elder Services. She eventually became a paid employee coordinating volunteers to shop for elders in the community who had a difficult time getting out. Enid was a member of the First Congregational Church in Reading. Religion and the community of people at the church were very important to her. She made several lasting friendships at church. She often volunteered and was on several committees at the church including representing the church at the City Mission Society. Enid was instrumental in developing the Reading YMCA in the 1970’s as well as an integral leader in the formation of the Reading College Club and Scholarship Foundation. Enid was strongly committed to social justice movements.

In 1991, Enid graduated with a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Enid enjoyed writing and reading. She was an occasional contributor to the Reading Chronicle and two other publications. She was an avid traveler. She enjoyed meeting new people from different cultures. She and her husband served as a host family for several people. She learned to speak German in her 50’s. She was one of the founding members of a German cultural and religious exchange program that started at the Methodist church in Reading. From the exchange program, she made several friends. After the program ended she continued with these friendships and traveled to Germany 8-10 times. She also sang in a German-American chorus for many years until it disbanded.

Enid was the mother of three children: Gretchen Schmuch and her husband David Purdy of Iowa City, Iowa; Karl Schmuch and his wife Karen of Rowley and Valerie Schmuch of Wenham. She was also the loving grandmother of 6 grandchildren: Jarrett, Jonathan, Madeline, Nathaniel, Torin and Konrad. She will be missed.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, January 18 at 11:00am at the First Congregational Church 25 Woburn St. in Reading. Burial is private and there are no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Enid’s memory to the First Congregational Church 25 Woburn St. Reading, MA 01867 or the City Mission Society of Boston 14 Beacon St. Suite 203, Boston, MA 02108.