Mary Joyce "English" Schmalz

Mary Schmalz ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Highlands Family-Owned Funeral Home - Louisville on Mar. 9, 2026.Mary Joyce Schmalz (English), known to everyone who loved her simply as Joyce, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at the age of 88. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Louisville, KY. She was a one-in-a-million mother whose strength and love shaped generations of her family. She was born on October 30, 1937, to Frank and Willetta English in Louisville, KY.Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Schmalz, and two children, Kimberly Joan Bedingfield (Kent) and Patrick Mackin.She is survived by four of her children: Cynthia Byrd (Wayne), Danny Mackin (Karen), Kevin Mackin (Rhonda), and Shawn Neal (Tim). She also leaves behind a large and beautiful family of 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, each carrying forward a part of the legacy she built with so much love.To us, she was simply our mom, and her life revolved around her six kids and the family that followed. We were always first in her life, and she made sure we never wanted for anything. Looking back now, we realize just how much determination, sacrifice, and love it took for her to make that happen.Mom believed deeply that hard work matters, and she lived that lesson every day. One of the things she told us often was, "You can do anything you set your mind to." When money was tight, she taught us to think differently, to be creative, and to find another way. She had a quiet strength and a remarkable ability to look at a problem and simply figure it out.Mom had a special gift for encouragement. She could push you when you needed it and comfort you at the same time. She knew how to say "no" when we were too young to understand, but every decision she made came from love and wisdom. She followed our dreams closely, stepping in when we needed her and stepping back when it was time for us to find our own way.After spending many years raising her family as a homemaker, Joyce later worked as a secretary for the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, where she served faithfully for many years.She also had a creative spirit and loved making beautiful wreaths and crafts, many of which she donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Giving to others was simply part of who she was.Joyce cherished the friendships she made throughout her life, especially the time she spent with her dear Florida friends and her beloved Class of 1955 classmates. Those friendships meant a great deal to her and brought her much joy over the years.Some of our favorite memories are the simple ones; Mom in the kitchen making a big pot of her vegetable soup, often using the canned goods she had preserved herself, while family gathered around the table talking, laughing, and enjoying being together. No one ever left her house hungry, and no one ever left without feeling cared for.One thing we often wondered about was how she managed to make every single one of us, kids and grandkids alike, feel so deeply loved and valued. Somehow she did it. Each of us felt special to her, and each of us knew we mattered.Her life was full of quiet sacrifices, steady faith, and an enduring love for her family. She poured herself into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and because of her, our family is what it is today. The values she lived by: hard work, perseverance, creativity, and love, will continue to guide us for generations.As Scripture reminds us,"Her children rise up and call her blessed." - Proverbs 31:28And that is exactly what we do.Our mom was truly one in a million. She worked harder than most people ever knew, loved deeper than words can describe, and somehow made every one of her children and grandchildren feel uniquely valued and deeply loved.A mother like ours is a gift that only God could give, and we will thank Him for her all the days of our lives.Funeral Visitation is Friday, March 13 at Highland Funeral Home. 3331 Taylorsville Rd. Louisville, 40205 from 10am-1pm. Funeral service at 1:00 pm. Final burial service to follow at 2:30 pm at the Chapel of the Apostles at Evergreen Cemetery. 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.