Lyn Schmulen

Lyn Fleishman Schmulen, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 16, 2022, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 26, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Carrolyn Cahn Fleishman and H.H. Jack Fleishman (of blessed memory), Lyn was raised in Tampico, Mexico, and was the eldest of six children. She developed her love for staying up late at night keeping her father company as he worked well past midnight while she sipped on Coca-Cola and they shared a Hershey bar. Growing up in Tampico, Mexico, she studied at The American School before attending The Hockaday School of Dallas, Texas, as a boarding student. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she met the love of her life, Carl Schmulen. Lyn was an active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. Lyn and Carl started dating as freshmen after her sorority advisor, Carl’s mother, Carolyn Schmulen, picked out the prettiest girl in the rush class and asked her if she would attend the first football game with her son. Lyn only agreed to a pre-date for a Coca-Cola to check him out first. He passed her test and they were engaged by Lyn’s senior year. Lyn and Carl were married in Tampico, Mexico, on August 15, 1970. They lived in New Orleans while Carl attended medical school and Lyn taught Spanish and French at a New Orleans high school. They welcomed their first child Caren in 1972. After Carl graduated from medical school, they moved to Dallas where Carl completed his post-graduate training. Their son Brian was born there in1975. The family moved to Houston in 1978 and their son Mark was born in 1980. Lyn was an active community volunteer, philanthropist and civic leader. She served as the president of the Sisterhood at Congregation Beth Israel and on the national board of Women of Reform Judaism. She was also on the board of the Anti-Defamation League and a proud member of Hadassah, B’nai B’rith, and the American Heart Guild. Just last year, she co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Collage with her three daughters, Caren, Danielle and Lindsay. Lyn was admired for her kindness, generosity and friendship and fierce determination to live her life her way, despite multiple medical challenges. Always warm and engaging, she went above and beyond to make everyone around her feel loved and important. She was a caring and thoughtful friend who always anticipated the needs of others and was loved and respected by all in the community. Her greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren called her Gigi, and it was her mission to spoil them every chance she had. Lyn loved traveling, shopping, playing canasta and mahj jong, and dining with family and friends. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family. She never skipped a day to call or visit her mother Carrolyn. She had dinner with her mom and siblings almost every Sunday night. Lyn loved attending her grandchildren’s games and performances and keeping up with all of their many activities. Ever elegant and beautiful, Lyn was always dressed with great style and a smile. She earned the nickname Turtle for always showing up fashionably late, but never empty handed. She always had surprises for her grandchildren and never let them leave her home without a sweet treat from Gigi’s pantry. She is survived by her mother Carrolyn Fleishman, her loving husband of 52 years, Dr. Carl Schmulen, children Caren and Rob Sweetland, Danielle and Brian Schmulen and Lindsay and Mark Schmulen, and her 10 beautiful grandchildren Benjamin, Joshua, Jonathan, and Alexander Sweetland; Brice, Ella, and Madison Schmulen; and Ellie, Jack, and Lyla Schmulen. She is also survived by her siblings Jean and Kenny Chapman, Henry Fleishman and Ricardo Lowenberg, Susan and Ronnie Golden, Nancy and Irving Stern, Sheri and Robert Fleishman, Lynn and Felix Weill, and numerous nieces, nephews and loving cousins. She was our jewel, and “a jewel that is lost remains a jewel forever.” The family held a private burial on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden and a Memorial Service for Lyn on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 4:00 pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd. Houston, TX 77096. The service livestream can be viewed at https://www.beth-israel.org/about-us/news-events-upcoming-events/livestreaming/ Donations in Lyn’s honor may be made to Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation - Underwood Center, Congregation Beth Israel Carrolyn Fleishman Fund, or to a charity of your choice.

Lyn Schmulen

December 17, 1948 - December 16, 2022