Carolyn Schmitz passed away on November 2, 2025. A longtime resident of Richboro, she is survived by her son James Schmitz and his partner Camille; family friends, Cindy Chen, Kevin Burd, and her siblings Joseph Wiley and Margaret Brenkert.
Carolyn volunteered at the Free Library of Northampton Township for almost 50 years, beginning when it was at the old Nike military base. She worked at the Circulation Desk on Monday nights. For over 18 years, she served on the Board in several roles, most often as Treasurer.
Growing up in Indianapolis, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Carolyn was a devoted educator, and taught social studies at Springfield Township High School for 34 years. Numerous students stayed in touch with her throughout the years, and she valued their friendship.
Carolyn co-created Springfield’s World Cultures curriculum in 1967, which allowed her to share her love of travel. She delighted in visiting historical sites in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, and traveled to India as a Fulbright Scholar (where she ignored the program’s rules on luggage in order to bring an extra suitcase of books). In 1984, Carolyn and her son were nearly kidnapped in Dar Es Salaam, but the kidnappers’ plan did not account for how ornery she was willing to be in public.
You are welcome to share your stories about Carolyn at a celebration of her to be held on Saturday, March 21 (first day of spring) at 10 am at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Richboro Rd. in Richboro. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Carolyn’s honor to the Free Library of Northampton. (freelibrarynt.org/about/ways-to-donate/).
