Marilyn Schlitter

Marilyn Newstadt Schlitter passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025. Marilyn was the beloved wife of James D. Schlitter; loving mother of JoAnne Levy (Jim Thomeczek), Ellen Sue Levy (Carl Desenberg), Jerry Lundsgaard, Nancy Levy, David Levy (Stephanie Kurtzman), and Alex Schlitter (Tave Hollins); proud grandmother of Samantha Wendling (Mickey), Jake Thomeczek (Kate), Jerry Thomeczek (Sydney Hoffman), Mari Thomeczek, Josh Thomeczek, Miranda Levy Siwak, Bradford Levy Siwak, Lathan Levy, Ansel Levy, and Hanya Levy; doting great-grandmother of Brennan, Luca, and Teddy Wendling; cherished sister and sister-in-law of Edgar Newstadt (Barbara) and Mitch Newstadt (Mollie); dear aunt, cousin, and friend.

Marilyn was born to the late Mitchel and Johanna Newstadt on April 10, 1936. She grew up as the sister to two younger brothers in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her father, affectionately known as “Big Daddy,” often called her “Queenie.” After graduating from Bolton High School in Alexandria, she traveled to St. Louis for college with a huge trunk of shoes provided by Newstadt Shoes! She entered Washington University where she was a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority and focused her studies on art and education. After graduating with an A.B. in 1956, Marilyn became an elementary school teacher in the Berkley School District in St. Louis.

In 1956, Marilyn married Dr. Jerry Levy and they started their family, eventually having five children together: JoAnne, Ellen, Jerry, Nancy and David. Despite the chaos, she continued her work as a printmaker and professional artist, and later earned her Masters Degree in Fine Arts, also from Washington University. Once her children were starting to leave for college, Marilyn returned to teaching at Logos High School, a private special education school in St. Louis. Her work at Logos inspired her to pursue social work and become licensed as an LCSW. In 1993-94, Marilyn was named “Teacher of the Year” at Logos and a scholarship was created in her honor. Logos was also noteworthy as being the place where she met her “soulmate” Jim, who was a Logos math teacher. Together, Marilyn and Jim added a sixth child – Alex – to the crew of Levy-Schlitter children!

Later in her career, Marilyn returned to early childhood education, teaching in the University City School District at both the Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center and Flynn Park Elementary School. Following her passion for advocacy, she began working at Lydia’s House, a place of healing and hope that provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence. At Lydia’s House, she served as a child advocate and created an after-school education and tutoring program.

In addition to serving as a dedicated advocate for children and the importance of the arts, Marilyn was truly devoted to her family. She took great pride in hosting holiday meals for the multitudes, taking grandchildren to the Lake of the Ozarks for boating weekends, and shopping for special events. She was well-known for “stealing sugar” from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and for her household of many dachshunds! She was a lover of New Orleans and later in life, very much enjoyed Jim’s and her travels, especially in France. She loved being with and hearing about the accomplishments of her six children, ten grandchildren and three great-grandsons. She was welcoming and gracious to all.

After being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s, she fought remarkably long and hard, maintaining her positive outlook and concern for others to the very end. Special thanks are due to Marilyn’s caregivers during this fight, with extra appreciation to the staff of McKnight Place Memory Care and to the dedicated caregivers from Compassionate Nursing – Kyahna Johnson, Antwoin Murphy, Regine Johnson, Shamella Logan, Jade Sutton, Georgia Jones, Isaiah Neely, and others – as well as to the staff from BJC Hospice.

Funeral service Monday, July 28, 2025, at 11 AM at the Mausoleum at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois. Visitation begins at 10:15 AM. Graveside burial follows at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery.

Shiva on Monday, July 28 from 4-8 pm and on Tuesday, July 29 from 5-8 pm at the home of Jim Thomeczek and JoAnne Levy, 416 Berkley Place Court, Olivette, Missouri, 63132.

Memorial contributions preferred to Congregation Temple Israel or the Alzheimer’s Association.