Melitta Schmidt of Union died at her home on Sunday, February 11, 2018. She was 96.
Born in Germany, she came to the US to escape the Nazis in 1938. She lived in Newark and Irvington until she moved to Union 57 years ago. Melitta married the love of her life, Joseph Schmidt in 1954 and remained happily married until his death in 2016. She worked as a shoe model and salesperson for Bamberger’s in Newark. Later, after moving to Union, she started her own women’s clothing store out of her basement, in 1966. Her style and flair for fashion led her to expand her client base such that a move into larger headquarters, first on Stuyvesant Avenue and then on Morris Avenue became necessary. Melitta Schmidt Profile of Fashion was her Morris Avenue store in Union Center, in which she celebrated 25 years in business in 1991. Melitta was also involved for many years with local chapter of B’Nai B’rith.
Predeceased by her husband, Joseph, oldest sister, Margot Rapel and grandchild Jonathan Schmidt; Melitta is survived by her son Gary Schmidt and his wife, Delia, of Branchburg, NJ,and her daughter, Cindy Schoenhaar of Hamilton, NJ. Also missing her will be her granddaughter, Alicia Schmidt of Bridgewater, NJ, grandsons Robert and Christopher Pipher, great-grandson Aiden Pipher and sister, Trudy Farina of Lakewood, NJ
A funeral service will be held 1:15 pm on Tuesday at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Home, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston. Burial will follow at King Solomon Cemetery in Clifton. In lieu of flowers, plant a tree in her memory with the Jewish National Fund.
