Carol Louise Schnitger

Carol Schnitger, a singer, music educator, author, equestrian, backpacker, animal lover and 88-year resident of Garden Grove, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 15, 2020. She was 93.

Carol was born on February 3, 1927 to Irvine & Winifred (Adland) German in Garden Grove. Since there was no hospital in town, Winifred gave birth in Dr. CC Violette’s office. Carol grew up in a musical household, continuing her parents’ tradition by playing the piano, as well as the baritone horn. Carol attended Garden Grove High School, where her father taught music. As a senior, she was student body Vice President, sang with the glee club, and performed in theatre. Upon graduation in 1944, this Renaissance woman was awarded Girl’s Athlete of the Year. Then, so that she could stay in town to raise her new filly while also attending Santa Ana College, Carol worked in the orange packing house. She went on to earn her Bachelor degree at the University of Southern California, and remained a lifelong Trojan fan.

After returning to Garden Grove, Carol married Wallace Schnitger in 1950. This woman of boundless energy, while busy raising their three children, returned to school at CSU Long Beach and earned a master’s degree in education. Carol taught music in elementary and intermediate schools for 32 years in the Garden Grove Unified School District. She served as a master teacher, mentoring many beginning teachers in music education, and was presented with the Irene Schoepfle Award for Music Education in recognition of her brilliant teaching. In 1977, Carol and colleague Eleanor Beatty published an individualized music program for classrooms, titled Center In On Music. After retiring in 1989, Carol didn’t slow down. Instead, she focused on her passion to improve advocacy and support for families affected by mental illness. She joined the Alliance on Mental Illness, later NAMI, and became a founding member of The John Henry Foundation, and joined a family support group which continues today.

A singer all her life, Carol was a member of the William Hall Chorale. A lifelong member of the Garden Grove United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir and soloed for holiday sacred music. She directed the children’s bell choir at the Crystal Cathedral and spent several years promoting the music of Mark Foster to music educators. Carol improved her community. She led or served on the boards of GG Historical Society, Junior League, the GGHS Alumni Association, and the American Association of University Women. She also was co-founder of the Garden Grove Committee of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. The City of Garden Grove honored Carol with the Silver Spoon Award for Community Service.

Carol’s many animal friends gave her joy throughout her life. She owned 2 horses and rescued dogs, cats and birds. Carol loved the outdoors and wilderness, taking the family to the beach daily in the summer, skiing downhill in the winters of her retirement years, even backpacking. She rode horses into her 70’s and continued her active life hiking, camping, sailing and making music, always greeting everyone with her bright smile and her welcome that sang.

Carol is survived by her 3 children, David, Milton and Eileen, grandchildren Karina Czoka, Eric Schnitger and Anna Narduzzi, and 4 great grand- children, and five nieces and nephews, children of her brother Irvine German, Jr.

Friends are invited to join an online ‘Zoom’ Celebration of Carol’s life on Sunday, August 30 at 1:00 pm Pacific time. Receive the Zoom link to participate by emailing [email protected]. Donations in Carol’s memory may be made to the Garden Grove Historical Society.