Waldtraut Schuermann
MIDDLEFIELD - Waldtraut Schuermann, 71, died Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at her residence. Born in Mannheim, Germany on July 22, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Hermann and Kaethe Gruning Schuermann. She was educated at the University of Heidelburg, Fairleigh Dickinson College in New Jersey and Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. She was retired from Bristol Myers Squibb Company in New Jersey and Connecticut, where she was employed as a Clinical Scientist, was a Consulant to the Pharmaceutical Industry and Revlon Healthcare. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, having served as vice president and was active in CT Forum, was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Sierra Club, the New York Academy of Science and Connecticut United for Research Excellence. She is survived by a sister, Ellen Hamilton of Waynesboro, PA; two nieces, Elizabeth Hamilton of Bellefonte, PA and Dorothy Mordan of Meriden; two nephews, Robert Hamilton of Sterling, VA and James Hamilton of York, PA; a grandnephew, Nelson Hamilton; and two grandnieces, Clare Hamilton and Sarah Hamilton. Memorial service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at the Beecher & Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden. The Rev. Dr. John W. Clark will officiate.
Dear relatives of Waldtraut, It was a joy being able to express myself in the language of my birth, sitting with Waldtaut on the bank of the Connecticut River as if it were the Rhein, falling back into memories of Deutschland was so easy there. Each ripple contained a lifetime with the river’s gentle flow as analogous to life’s process and its strong current to its speed. My condolences to each of you, Ingeborg Yed (friend)
I am her neice Liz…I remember her energy and youth. She would take me for fun outings like a bike ride along the C&O Canal, or let me drive her BMW right after I got my license as a 16 year old. She made me drink my heineken from a glass instead of a bottle and when she came to pick me up for summer break at Penn State she didn’t lecture me about my smoking right before the last final. She was a successful educated woman before it was fashionable. She taught me that success was in reach and that I didn’t just have to be a house wife, secretary or nurse. I am an IT Director in part because of her influence. She will be missed. I have many regrets but my hope is that she knows that she is my blood and that it really is thicker than water. May she have peace. I hope to meet up with her again and when I do I am sure that she will let me drive her sports car once again.
I know of Waldtraut through my daughter, Doris, and had the pleasure on one of my visits to Hartford to have lunch with Waldtraut. What a joy it was for me to talk to and get to know someone from my hometown of Mannheim. We had so much in common, even attended the same high school. We communicated only a few times, but Doris always kept me up to date on Waldtraut. Doris was with me in Richmond when she heard of Waldtraut’s passing. Together, we felt very sad. I will miss hearing from my Mannheim friend.
It’s Thursday and instead of expecting you to be in the office today, the office will be going to say good-bye to you. There are so many reminders of your presence in this office Waldtraut, your stories, your suggestions, your handwritten notes everywhere … even your .inbox.. You were always appreciated and loved. You will be missed. Thank you for being so giving of yourself and for being a part of our Forum family.
My thoughts are with the family during this sorrowful time. Waldtraut was a lovely woman. I had the pleasure of working with her at BMS several years ago.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Waldtraut’s family and many friends during this difficult time. Waldraut touched our lives with her generousity and selfless kindness. She was a person we were proud to call a friend and was truly like a part of our family. With Fond Memories, Michael & Aimee Yedziniak
Thank you for being a great neighbor. We will miss you at our annual meetings. Liz and Harry 42 Sylvan Ridge
To Waldtraut’s family, friends, and AAUW colleagues. As president of the American Associan of University Women of CT, I only met Waltraut a couple of times. But I knew well of her work on behalf of the Meriden branch, of the Association,and of women and girls, to whom as a woman in science she was a wonderful role model. Moreover, her great involvement in the CT forum was indicative of her concern with the important issues of our time. On behalf of AAUW/CT I want to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of this exceptional woman. She will be greatly missed. Carol R. Virostek, Ph.D. AAUW/CT