Following is the obituary for EDITH SMITH SCHIEFER, submitted for her family by the Cederberg Funeral Home in Frankenmuth, Mich.

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Edith (Edie) Smith Schiefer, 67, of Fairfax, Va., and formerly of Westport, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at her home after battling an aggressive case of pancreatic cancer.  

Edith Smith was born on Dec. 1, 1956, in Greenwich to the late David S Smith and Helen (Bogart) Smith. She grew up in Westport and received a B.A. in mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., and an M.B.A. from Questrom School of Business at Boston University. 

She enjoyed a long and successful career as an accredited ACH professional (AAP) with over 25 years of experience in the broader payments industry. She worked for many reputable financial institutions, including Bank of Boston, Capital One, Fiserv and NEACH Payments Group.

Edie and James Schiefer were married on March 11, 1999, in Grafton, Vt. Surviving besides James are: sister Lisa Smith; nieces Jocelyn Smith and Rosa Smith; uncle Tom Chase; his children Katie (son Henry Campbell), Sam (partner Juliet Loranger), Ellen (wife Jesse and daughters Finleigh, Skyler and Wesley); cousins Betty Jo Smith, Joy Stokes (husband Don), Russ George (wife Diane), Virginia Knight (husband Jordan and daughter Hollis) and Marshall Stokes and wife Jessica.

On the Schiefer side is sister-in-law Bonnie Bell (husband Steve); children Spencer Bell (wife Elizabeth and daughter Clementine), Carson Bell (fiancée Jane Jeffes); brother-in-law Gary Schiefer (wife Diane), son John Schiefer (wife Katherine and daughter Cora and son Owen), and daughter Margaret Schiefer, and stepdaughter Shelby Schiefer and her children Ashton and Amaya.

Edith was preceded in death by parents Helen Bogart Smith and David Spooner Smith; aunts Alice Bogart, Marcia Stiehl and Linda Chase; in-laws Edward Schiefer and Beulah Schiefer, and stepson Derek Schiefer.

Edie was a kind and thoughtful woman who treasured above all her family and friends. Her generous and kindhearted nature led her to maintain caring, long-term ties with many, many people throughout her life. She will be long remembered for her grace and compassion, and for the strong and positive examples she set for so many.

Edie held her friends very tight and would never give up on an important relationship. She was thoughtful and would never miss a birthday or anniversary.

A great listener, genuinely interested in people and their stories. She would remember details and the spoken word and precision were very important to her. A well-read New Englander, smarter than most everybody in the room, but always courteous to others, even when she knew they were misguided. She was always true to herself and didn’t feel pressured to follow the crowd.

Edie literally gave to hundreds of charities. She financially supported friends and family when the need was there. She was a giver and very generous. Money was important to her only to the extent of helping others. She made and sent many containers of Christmas cookies to family and friends every year, and she loved doing it.

Edie loved to travel, especially to Europe. She probably would have gone to Europe at least five more times if cancer had not cut her plans short.

Edie loved New England, the four seasons, walking, hiking, historical sites, the theater and Franklin & Marshall College. Edie loved pets and she loved dogs more than people and she really loved people, to give you some perspective. As her manager at Bank of Boston once said, “Edie is the best; kind, considerate and smart.”

Outside of New England, Edie loved Frankenmuth, Mich., and Frankenmuth’s St. Lorenz Church. Although never living in Frankenmuth, she talked of spending her final years in Frankenmuth and attending St. Lorenz Church.

A memorial service will take place at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, American Heart Association or the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Sign our guest book or share an online condolence with the family at www.cederbergfh.com.