Sheila Elaine Schneider

Sheila Elaine Verter Schneider lived many roles: she was a loving daughter of Adele and Irving, wife to Howard, sister to Gina, Marcia and Alan, mother to Stephanie, Natalie and Jennifer, grandmother to Sam, Rianna and Kyle, mother-in-law to David, aunt, and friend.

In early adulthood, Sheila learned to be a fighter, survivor and a healer. She battled and survived breast cancer twice. She was called to learn about alternative forms of healing and discovered vitamins, healthier eating choices, visualization techniques and meditation. She shared what she learned with other women challenged with cancer.

Sheila was married to Howard for approximately fifty years. When Howard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease Sheila became his cheerleader and advocate. Howard’s care was her passion even while she worked a full-time job.

Sheila went back to college in her 40's and received a degree in computer science in 1983.We were so proud of her! As an adult she studied with other women at the synagogue and had her Bat Mitzvah. She excelled in whatever she applied herself to and both of these accomplishments were amazing.

Sheila persevered and continued to learn, raise a family, and expand her healing modalities. She took Chinese cooking classes and enjoyed cooking for her family. Sheila loved to travel and went to Mexico, France, Alaska, Spain and Hawaii.

Sheila became involved in fostering kittens and adopted several cats throughout her life: Snowy, Oscar, Ashley, Missy, Emily and Rosie. She also ad a green thumb and enjoyed growing flowers, veggies and plants. She was creative and learned to use a sewing machine and sewed clothes for her daughters when they were little and their dolls.

Sheila had a deep well of inner strength that she passed on to each of us. Within that strength contained the seeds of compassion and kindness. She encouraged each of us to pursue our dreams. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren Sam, Kyle and Rianna, and loved to attend events at Rianna’s school.

Our mother loved to play games: rumikub, Scrabble, cards, bingo, mahjong, connect four, etc. She donated yearly to animal sanctuaries and environmental and animal welfare groups, Hadassah, etc. Our mother cherished spending time with each of us, her friends and family. When she stayed with Stephanie and her family her grand-dog Cassidy was by her side, licking her face and making Sheila laugh. When she stayed with Natalie she enjoyed the company of Layla the cat.

Her love of art and music influenced each one of us-whether it was taking painting lessons, or going to museums, listening to 8-tracks, albums, or tapes, or acquiring artwork. She discovered scrapbooking and enjoyed making cards with Stephanie and knitting with her sisters. She also championed women's rights/feminism and the importance of voting. Growing up we remember her working at the polling stations.

In recent years, during family dinners at the Weisenberg home we had many passionate political conversations with Grandma. These conversations provoked different views along with frustrations and sometimes laughter. Grandma stayed on top of reading the newspaper and listening to the news and expressed concern for what was happening in our world.

Our Mom enjoyed going shopping, going out to restaurants and to the movie theater.

After working for over twenty years as a computer programmer she went back to school and earned a certificate in Paralegal Studies. She was fascinated by the law and clerked for a Judge in New Jersey. Her education was not only through formal methods such as a textbook, but by living life-she learned from her life experiences. It was through her experiences that she became a courageous, beautiful, wise and loving spiritual being. She will be missed as she continues to stay in our hearts.