Margot L. Schmidt

Margot L. Schmidt, of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026 at the age of 72.

She was born October 14, 1953 in Chicago, the daughter of the late Lowell and Jeanette (Gransee) Durham.

Margot was a devoted mother and cherished her family above all else. The loss of her beloved son, Matt, was something she carried in her heart always, and she deeply missed being “Matt’s Ma.” We take comfort in imagining a beautiful reunion in heaven, where Margot joyfully ran past her husband and straight into her son’s arms.

Margot worked for many years at Black Dot in Crystal Lake before retiring, a place where she built lasting friendships and took pride in her work. She had a lifelong love of dogs, especially Weimaraners. She opened her heart and home by fostering Cashew for several years and later had Weimaraners of her own, loving all dogs as if they were family.

Feisty, tough, and strong, Margot fought bravely until the very end. She lived a full and meaningful life and will be missed tremendously by all who knew her and loved her.

Margot was the loving wife of Frank D. Schmidt for 32 years until his passing in 2008; loving mother of her children, Elizabeth (Brian) Hirchert and the late Matthew Schmidt; beloved “Brown Grandma” of Britney and Bradley Hirchert; adored sister of the late Arthur Durham; loving sister-in-law of Debbie (Marty) Struck, Donna (Rob) Hodgson, Greg (Liz) Schmidt, Laura (the late Keith) Jonasen, and Jeff (Diane) Schmidt; adored aunt to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and best dog mom of Everette and the late Jack and Charlie.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 9, 2026 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (Rt. 176) Crystal Lake. Burial will follow at McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock.

To honor Margot’s lifelong love for dogs, memorial donations may be made to a dog rescue of your choosing.