Patricia J. Schanzer

Pat Schanzer lived a full life, with an abundance of love from family and friends, and enjoyed an important career aiding children facing mental and physical challenges.

After losing her father, Herbert, at a young age to World War II, Pat Orange and her brother, Richard (Dick) were raised by their wonderful mother, Natalie, who worked for the company founded by her brothers, Malcolm and Mark Steiner. Pat enjoyed the love and support of the Steiner family throughout her life.

Pat (“Patsy” at the time) attended Camp Vega in Maine, where she achieved the status of Junior Maine Guide and allegedly shot the rapids of the Allagash River. Pat attended Great Neck High School and at her junior prom, met Robert (Bob) Schanzer, who soon thereafter asked her out and the rest, as they say, is history. Pat matriculated at Cornell University in 1956 on a veteran’s scholarship, then transferred to Queens College in New York to be closer to Bob, who was at Princeton. She graduated from Queens with a bachelor’s degree in education. She and Bob were married on June 11, 1961 – a union that would last for over 63 years. Pat taught in grade school for a year in Roslyn, NY before giving birth to David in 1963 and Gary in 1965. In their early years in New York City, Pat and Bob developed life-long friendships with Bob’s friends from college and law school and their wives as they all began raising families.

The Schanzers moved to Port Washington in 1967, where they would live in the same home for more than a half century. In Port Washington, Pat led the Manorhaven School PTA, and the Schanzers enjoyed a wonderful family life, with weekly sojourns in the winter to Stratton Mountain and annual summer visits to Camp Winnebago to see David and Gary. They developed a close-knit community of dear friends in Port Washington as well, who remained an important part of Pat’s life to the present day.

Pat returned to school and earned a Master of Special Education degree from Hofstra. She taught special education in the Manhasset public schools and then moved through the administrative ranks until becoming the Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services for the entire district. In this position, Pat was responsible for the supervising all of Manhasset’s special education teachers and ensuring that all students, no matter their disabilities, received a free and appropriate education as guaranteed by law. After retiring in 2000, Pat used the expertise she gained from her decades in Manhasset to assist many school districts across Long Island administer their special education programs.

Pat adored David and Gary and took great pride in their achievements. But nothing made her happier than gaining two daughters-in-law, Elizabeth and Valerie.

After growing up with her brother, having two sons, and then a first grandchild Eric, Pat lamented that she may never have a girl to dote over. But then came four of them – Hannah, Natalie, Danielle, and Emily. Her five grandchildren were a tremendous source of joy. Pat was able to witness Eric’s wedding last October and welcome Sarah into the family.

In 2024, Pat and Bob moved to the La Posada retirement community in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where they were warmly welcomed.

Patricia Schanzer is survived by her beloved husband, Robert, caring brother, Richard, loving sons, David and Gary, and adoring grandchildren, Eric, Hannah, Natalie, Danielle, and Emily. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s honor may be directed to the Interfaith Nutritional Network, 211 Fulton Ave, Hempstead, NY 11550, https://the-inn.org/how-to-help/donate-funds/#donate

Topic: Patricia Schanzer Chapel Service

Time: Mar 26, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Passcode: 409000

A memorial service for Patricia will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at IJ Morris at Star of David of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33412.