Joni Kincaid Schmidt was born on September 17, 1925. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 12, 2016 at the age of 90 in her Newport Beach Assisted living home. She is held in loving memory by her children: Gary Schmidt, John Schmidt, and Regina Scott, her grandchildren: Donnia Schmidt-Klawitter, Nicole Smith, Todd Schmidt, Noell Scott, Bart Schmidt, Jennifer Franklin, and Joseph Schmidt, and her great grandchildren: Callie, Byrnn, Summer, Sawyer, Delaney, and Amelia.

Joni was born in Sasakwa, Oklahoma, to her parents, Carrie and John Kincaid. Joni's only sibling was her older sister, Lillian. At the young age of 16, Joni left her family home to head west. Her father arranged for her to travel by car with a married couple, and family friends, to California. Her trip took place during the Great Depression, and the journey to California was not an easy one. Along the way the couple's car broke down, and Joni had to lie about her age in order to find work. She worked several jobs, each one until her age was discovered and she was fired. In time she was able to work her way to her California destination. It was in California that Joni met her husband, Wayne. She and a girlfriend were on their way to the movies when Wayne, and his friend, tried to flirt with the girls and get their phone numbers. Both girls flatly refused the flirtation and continued on to the movies. Wayne was so smitten with Joni that the boys followed the girls to the movies, and he continued to pursue her. They married, produced a family, and lived their lives together till their final days.

Joni had little interest in food and hated cooking, but she loved baking. Her cookies, cakes, pies, and homemade breads were a special treat for loved ones. She had a sharp mind and was an accomplished duplicate bridge player. She also was a voracious reader. She remained updated and relevant in her knowledge and conversation until the end. Joni was a treasured friend and was admired by many. She was not a complainer even though at times she was in a great deal of pain. She also had tremendous integrity and was not a gossip. She believed that if you didn't have something good to say, it should be said directly to the person, face to face. You always knew where you stood with her, whether you wanted to or not. She was a good listener and a trusted confidant who possessed a dry whit and sense of humor. Joni adored her children and grandchildren, and she would become a formidable foe to protect any one of them. She will be sorely missed by her friends and family.

Per Joni will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered at sea. She wrote a letter to her loved ones to be opened upon her death. In it she teased that she wanted to wash up on shore and become expensive property.

Memorial donations can be made in Joni Kincaid Schmidt's name to "Casa de Amparo", 325 Buena Creek Road, San Marcos Calif. 92069. Casa de Amparo's function is to support and give housing to battered and abused children.

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