In Loving Memory of Helma R. Curtiss

A Life Remembered and Cherished

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Helma Reingard Curtiss (Schmidt) on July 4, 2025. She departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories. Helma was born in Bobingen, Germany, on May 16, 1940, the fourth of five children born to Willi "Kurt" and Emilie Karolina Schmidt.

Family and Loved Ones

Helma is survived by her husband of 28 years, Thomas Curtiss, the "love of her life"; her siblings, Emilie Natebush, Gabriele Flickinger, and Friedrich Schmidt; and her two children, Theodore "Tad" R. Parker, and Angela P. McAlpin (Parker) and her husband Frank. She was predeceased by her oldest brother Walter Schmidt and her second son, Mark Bradford Parker.

Two stepchildren, Thomas Curtiss and wife Marie, Spencer Curtiss and wife Jessica, also mourn her passing.

Her six grandchildren are Joel and Gregory Parker (children of Mark and Brandi Parker); Paige and Mary Anna Parker (children of Theodore and former daughter-in-law Pilar Huddleston [Boesen]); and Colin and Mary Katherine McAlpin (children of Angela and Frank McAlpin).

Life Journey

Helma was raised with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning.  She trained in Austria as a chef and Denmark as a pastry chef before moving to the United States at age 18. Despite arriving without English skills, she quickly adapted.  Working multiple jobs and learning the language from daily life.  Accomplished in several languages, Helma became an international flight attendant for Pan American Airlines, frequently traveling worldwide and especially enjoying visits to the Middle East and New Zealand.

After 18 months with Pan Am, Helma left her job as a flight attendant due to marriage rules. During her 24-year marriage, she raised "three beautiful" children. After her divorce, she spent more than 25 years with Sedgwick as a Claims Compliance Auditor.  While at Sedgwick, she met and eventually married Thomas Curtiss. She moved to Philadelphia where she continued her career.  Together with Tom, they enjoyed U Penn sporting events, time by the Maine coast, and their homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Maine. After Helma's stroke, Tom was by her side daily, keeping her company and updated on the news.

Legacy and Remembrance

There will be a private family memorial at Kaiserwald Farms in East Madison, Maine.  Helma's ashes will be spread, beside her son Mark. The family notes the significance of her being interred next to her son Mark.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to The East Madison Grange (c/o Cathy Edgerly, 883 East Madison Road, Madison ME 04950, or via Venmo @Robin-Lebrun), or Centenary United Methodist Church in "Memory of Helma Curtiss" (103 Dr Mann Rd, PO Box 630, Skowhegan, ME 04976).