Catherine Ann Schmitt

Catherine A. Schmitt (nee Callahan), 86, of Mercerville, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 with her family by her side. Born in Trenton to the late James P. and Huldah Nelson Callahan, she grew up in Hamilton, NJ and studied classical ballet, an art form that her children and grandchildren also embraced. Selected at an early age to attend the prestigious The School of American Ballet in New York, associated with the New York City Ballet, to begin her professional ballet career, Catherine instead chose to stay among her longtime friends and classmates in Hamilton. “I knew I wanted a more traditional life,” she said. “I loved attending the football games, the school dances, and my other high school activities. The chance to dance professionally in New York was tempting, but I really loved my life here. That's also how I met Bob (Schmitt) the love of my life.” Catherine's passion for ballet never waned, however, and she passed her love of ballet, theater, and music along to her children and grandchildren–all of whom took the stage and benefitted from participation in the arts in one form or another.

Mother of the late Caren Lynn Schmitt, Catherine was predeceased by her sister, Emily Ruth Root and her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Vernon Toppin, Richard Schmitt Sr., and Fredrick and Janice Schmitt and by her nephew Jay Root and nieces, Nadine Slack and Ramona Keenan.

Catherine is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Robert H. Schmitt Sr., her daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Dr. Edward Swiderski Jr.; and her son and daughter-in-law, Robert H. Schmitt Jr. and Laurie A. Roth. Catherine is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Catherine Rose and Elizabeth Ann Swiderski, Abigail Joan and Alexandra Catherine Schmitt, and Sean Riley and Ryan Carter Gavin; her sisters-in-law Catherine Toppin and Mary Ann Schmitt and by her nieces and nephews, Todd Schmitt, Scott Root, Kimberly Poss, Donna Mercantini, David Toppin, Timothy Toppin, Richard Schmitt Jr., Susan Lawler, Renee Millman, and Dennis Schmitt.

A visitation with the family will be held Wednesday, January 14th from 2-4pm with a memorial service to begin at 4pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown.

Catherine was a nurturer of domestic animals of all kinds as well as a champion for the care and preservation of wildlife and our Nation's open spaces. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Catherine’s name to the ASPCA (www.ascpa.org) or to the World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlife.org)