Vita Marie Schneider, 101, of Baytown, Texas went to be with the Lord on November 28, 2022 following a brief illness. Vita was born on January 12, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York – the middle of 9 children to Joe and Gussie Soldano. Vita is preceded in death by her parents Joe and Gussie, her husband Artie, her son Howard Jay Schneider and her siblings, Lou, Jay, Nettie, Frank, Tony and Mary.
Vita is survived by her children Carolyn Nieberger and husband Mike, Paul Schneider and wife Beverly, Sharon Doeling and husband Tom, daughter-in-law Judith Schneider, step-daughter Sandra Grona and husband Bob; grandchildren Jen Wilson and fiancé Daniel Funk, Travis Wilson and wife Jamie, Jason Schneider and partner Julie, Lauren Brymer and husband Matthew, Eric Schneider and wife Alicyn; great-grandchildren Michael, Brennan, Liam, Jack, Julianna, Henley, Channing, Allana, Stella, Lily, Avery, Bryn, and Jet; sister Fay LaPlaca and brother Gene Soldano.
As a young woman growing up in New York, Vita was trained to be a professional singer, with several noteworthy accomplishments including: singing with the first choir to put “Carol of the Bells” to lyrics (as written and arranged by her choir director, Peter J. Wilhousky); performing solo at the Steinway Music Hall; and delighting audiences throughout the city and on the radio as a member of the Madrigals, a select group of a cappella singers. After marrying Artie and moving to Baytown in 1945, Vita sang professionally for weddings and funerals. Throughout her life, Vita continued to bless her family and friends when calling to sing happy birthday to them every year.
Vita was an amazing cook and her biscotti, pizza, and chicken and dumplings (to name a few) were favorites of her family and friends. She was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Baytown for more than 75 years, singing in the choir, cooking for church festivities, managing the cradle roll and altar flower donations, and sharing her faith and love of the Lord with everyone.
Vita and Artie were generous supporters and benefactors of the Redeemer Lutheran Childcare Center and instrumental in the planning and completion of the center, which was dedicated in November 2003. We are so blessed to have Vita in our lives – she was deeply loved and appreciated by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to Redeemer Lutheran Church or to the Redeemer Lutheran Childcare Center in Vita’s memory if so inclined.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Earthman Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Road in Baytown. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 5, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1200 E. Lobit in Baytown, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Schneider family may be shared at www.earthmanbaytown.com
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