Jonnie Kay Schmidt

Jonnie Kay (Egdahl) Schmidt, 73, passed away unexpectedly in Bainbridge Island, WA on May 3, 2026. Led by curiosity about the world, the self, and the spirit, Jonnie prioritized reading, reflection, and travel throughout her life. Among the things we fondly remember about her is her sense of humor—especially how she would often break into a fit of contagious laughter before she would deliver a punch line.

One of four daughters of Dr. John Egdahl and Lois (Hopkins) Egdahl, Jonnie was born in Frankfurt, Germany, where her father was stationed as a US Army doctor at the 97th General Hospital following WWII. The Egdahl family relocated briefly to San Francisco before settling in Carlsbad, California, in 1954, where she and her sisters Laura, Nancy, and Jeanne grew up.

Shortly after graduating from Carlsbad High School in 1970, she embarked on a solo backpacking trip through Europe. She began her college studies participating in World Campus Afloat, a program that allowed her to study on a ship between ports in Africa, Europe, and Latin America (it is now known as Semester at Sea). Back in the US, her passions for American history, politics, and religious studies led her to complete her BA in history at California State University, Sonoma.

She married Stephen Schmidt, a family friend since their high school years, in 1975. They had four sons: John, twins Chris and Michael, and Eric. The family settled in different parts of California over the years, first in Santa Rosa, then Oceanside, San Luis Obispo, and Simi Valley. Jonnie was proud of her work as a full-time mother, instilling in her boys a love for music, reading, and the outdoors as she guided them among soccer practices, hikes, music lessons, concerts, bookstores, and more.

Jonnie returned to the workplace and relocated to San Luis Obispo when she and Steve divorced. Putting her sharp editorial eyes to great use—when her sons wrote essays for school, she could spot grammatical corrections from across the room—she worked many years as a legal secretary before retiring in 2015. She then returned to her childhood home in Carlsbad as a full-time caretaker for her father until he passed away in 2021 (her mother passed away in 2010).

Jonnie ultimately settled in Bainbridge Island, Washington, to be close to her son Chris, daughter-in-law Marci, and granddaughter Casey. There, she enjoyed her quiet home overlooking the tranquil Eagle Harbor and serving her new community as a volunteer at Bloedel Reserve, the Bainbridge Island Senior and Community Center, the Bainbridge History Museum, and Island Volunteer Caregivers.

The tragic loss of her son Michael when he was an infant continually shaped Jonnie’s spiritual journey throughout her life. She had a strong interest in world religious traditions, voraciously reading about resonances among Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and more. Of particular importance to her was Siddha Yoga, which inspired her to practice meditation, to visit ashrams in the US and India, and to host and participate in satsangs. At the end of her life, she was thrilled to be building community at the Bainbridge Island Congregational Church.

Jonnie is survived by her sons John, Chris, and Eric; daughters-in-law Claudia, Marci, and Rohini; grandchildren Casey, Juan, and Maitri; sisters Laura Pahl (Bruce), Nancy Ivan (Tom), and Jeanne Campbell (Mickey); and nieces and nephews Molli, Adam, Keli, Kaylene, Kristin, and Michael. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Lois; her son, Michael; and her granddaughter, Maya.

The family will hold a private memorial at a later date in Bainbridge Island. Those who wish to make a donation in her memory are invited to consider Bloedel Reserve.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.