Lebanon, N.H. —
Born Deborah Ann Rao on March 4, 1952, in Auburn, N.Y., to parents Joseph A. and Emma M. (Henderson) Rao, she attended Catholic schools there. A graduate of St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. (BA Literature), Rae much later received her Masters (Education) from St. Michael’s College, Burlington, Vt. A professional career as reading specialist followed—Rae served in school districts across the Upper Valley—but a special bond was formed with the teachers she mentored, and the students she taught, at the Bellows Falls (Vt.) Central Elementary School. There, Rae’s thin disguise as administrator was exposed, revealing the unabashed, passionate advocate for reading that she was at heart. And she was embraced by her Bellows Falls colleagues for exactly that heart, despite stubborn quarrels with public education’s constraints.
Hiker, walker, lover of the outdoors (especially accompanied by dogs Grizzly, Hannah, or Boswell); flower gardener extraordinaire; baker of heritage Sicilian Christmas pastries; sometime-Quaker, sometime-Buddhist, all the time simply herself, open as air; take it or leave it.
Pre-deceased by her parents, Rae Schmertz remains with us in cherished daughter Lillian and dearest friend, former husband Louis Schmertz, both of Windsor, Vt; brother Robert A. Rao and family of Abington, Pa.; the entire Schmertz family of Hartland Four Corners (by god!), Vt.; and in long-time companion Christopher John Catchick (with Greta-Who-Barks), of Lebanon.
There will be no funeral. A celebration of Rae’s life is planned for the spring. In lieu of donations, please take some extra time for kindness, especially to those in real need, and to children everywhere.