Ann Holliday Schmidt Dunham

Ann Holliday Schmidt Dunham, 106, of Clarksburg, passed away peacefully on June 29th at Maplewood Healthcare Center, in Bridgeport, WV, surrounded by the love and memories of a life beautifully lived. Born on the last day of 1919 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, she was the cherished daughter of Harry Agnew Holliday and Faye Narcissus Fox Holliday. Ann's life spanned more than a century. Yet those who knew her best will remember not only the years she lived, but the love she gave. Through every chapter of her life, she built lasting friendships, welcomed others into her family, and found joy in caring for those around her.

A proud graduate of Washington Irving High School's Class of 1937, Ann married Louis V. Schmidt, and together they raised three children. Their home was one of music, laughter, and hospitality, a place where friends gathered, big band records played, summers spent at Maple Lake and boating on Grafton Dam, and every Sunday began with the sounds of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Their three children remained the pride and joy of her life: Louis W. Schmidt and wife Jacqueline "Sue" of Clarksburg; Marsha A. Schmidt Molina and husband Jim of Clarksburg; and Donald E. "Donnie" Schmidt and wife Jennifer of Clarksburg.

Following Louis's death in 1969, Ann returned to work at the F.W. Woolworth Department Store in downtown Clarksburg, where she worked for more than a decade until the store closed. Later, she found happiness again through her marriage to Hugh Dunham. She found great joy in the family she gained through her marriage to Hugh and treasured the relationships that grew from it.

Fiercely independent, Ann continued driving until the age of 99, living each day on her own terms. She continued mowing the level part of her lawn until her eighties and enjoyed planting beautiful flowers in her yard.  She never met a stranger and had a way of lighting up every room she entered. Whether surrounded by lifelong friends, neighbors, or family, she brought laughter wherever she went.

The warmth that filled Ann's home also shaped the way she lived. She was known throughout her neighborhood for delivering homemade soup to anyone who was sick, offering to babysit neighborhood children, and caring for friends whenever they needed her, including walking beside some during their final days. Christmas was especially dear to her, and generations of family members will forever remember gathering in her impeccably decorated formal living room on Verdun Street and later in the gym at St. James Catholic Church as the family outgrew the house.  They also remember enjoying the hundreds of homemade meatballs she lovingly rolled each year, followed by a generous serving of fruit salad or orange fluff.

Ann’s unwavering faith guided the way she lived, found great peace, strength, and purpose in serving Christ each day. She was a faithful member of Central Christian Church and also enjoyed watching Jewel City Church through its online service. She was a devoted West Virginia Mountaineers fan who rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her team. She enjoyed and treasured the time she spent with friends in the Stitch and Chatter Club and her beloved Canasta Card Club, whose members gathered monthly for more than 50 years. Many of those treasured friends preceded her in death, but the memories of their laughter and friendship remained close to her heart.  Even in her later years, she enthusiastically embraced Facebook as a way to stay connected with family and friends, proving it is never too late to learn something new. 

Ann was a proud and devoted grandmother to Valerie Mondelli of Atlanta, Georgia; Stephanie Genin of Castle Rock, Colorado; Chad Molina and wife Carmella Evans-Molina of Zionsville, Indiana; Scott Molina and wife Josalyn Ice of Wheeling, West Virginia; Todd Molina and wife Cassandra Casto-Molina of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Donald Schmidt and wife Janessa of Seattle, Washington; and Victoria Kemp and husband Darren of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Nothing brought Ann greater happiness than watching her family grow. She was blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren: Olivia, Cameron, Avalen, Sebastien, Ella, Elliott, and Emilia Molina; Lukas and Alexa Genin; Jack Mondelli; and Jaxson, Slone, and Louie Kemp.

Ann is also survived by the Wolfe family, who held a special place in her heart, including Margaret Wolfe, widow to Jack Wolfe (Ann’s nephew), Brian Wolfe and wife Noelle Marinelli Wolfe and their son, Max; Heather Wolfe Steinhardt, husband Avi and daughter Aya; and Eli Wolfe. She is survived by the Dunham family, including stepson Tom Dunham and wife Shirley; daughter in-law, Jo Ann Dunham, widow to her late stepson Fred Dunham; grandchildren Lark Dunham, Lynna Lewis, Alexis Dunham, and Erika Pappas and husband EJ and great-granddaughter Cecilia Pappas.  She is survived by her dear niece, Margaret "Maggie" Fisher, her late niece Pauline Brown’s extended family from Salem, WV, and by Jim Davis of Stonewood (son Jimmy Davis and wife Brenda and family), who became part of Ann's own family.  Jim and his late wife, Martha Parks Davis from Stonewood, shared a lifelong friendship with Ann.  Martha, who lived with the Schmidt family for more than thirteen years, was loved as a daughter.

In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Louis V. Schmidt; her second husband of 15 years, Hugh Dunham; her sister, Betty Wolfe; her grandson, Jameson Kemp; her niece, Pauline Brown; and her nephew, Jack Wolfe. 

Ann had a remarkable gift for making people feel like family. Many who entered her life left it feeling loved. Her legacy lives on in the family she raised, the family she gained, the friendships she cherished, and the countless lives she touched through quiet acts of kindness. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to Brenda Collins, Judy Fryzel, and Donna Stringer for the compassionate care they provided to Ann throughout the years. Their kindness and dedication are deeply appreciated, as well as all the nurses, aides and staff at Maplewood Healthcare Center in Bridgeport, WV. 

Family and friends will be received at Davis Funeral Home, 124 Olen Thomas Drive (Route 98), Clarksburg, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 3-8 PM and on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 9:00 AM until the time of the Funeral service at 11:00 A.M. with Lou Ortenzio presiding. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

Online condolences may be shared at www.davisfuneralhomewv.com.

Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Schmidt, Molina, and Dunham families.

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