June 11th, 1954 - September 12th, 2019
“Mothers hold their children’s hands for just a little while and their hearts forever.”
Mrs. Sandra Schneider, of Goshen, NY, left this world, surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 12th, 2019, at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, NJ.
Born to the late June & Joseph Kitson on June 11th, 1954 in New Britain, Conn., they must have known they achieved perfection, being she was the last of four girls.
The birth and death of this great woman, however, is not nearly as relevant as the days she spent living life to the fullest. Sandra was brilliant and known for being an avid reader, a poet, a second mom, best friend, the “go-to”, a sister, a Nana and, most importantly, a loving mother. She instilled in her children the importance of love, respect, work ethic, and the most crucial of all life skills, how to cook. She played a significant role in every life she touched and had the tremendous natural ability to make everyone near her smile.
Due to her father’s occupation (which is still a partial mystery) the family relocated to Ridgewood, NJ, where she was raised and graduated from Ridgewood High School. Sandra chose a career in the legal profession, spending nearly half a century in the law communities of Bergen County, NJ and Orange County, NY. At work, she was lovingly referred to as “the little mayor”.
Sandra met & married her first husband, Richard DeMott in 1975, after deciding that “he would do”, and began her family with the birth of the first two of four children, daughters, Nicole Violet (Nickel) and Joelle Patrice (Red). As can happen in life, they grew apart. She decided he would “no longer do”, and the marriage ended. That did not slow her down. Those who knew her well understand why her sisters nicknamed her “The Barbarian”. Life continued and Sandra made the acquaintance of Nicholas Schneider III, in 1986. They married in 1987 and chose Monroe, NY as their new home. They settled and continued to grow their family with the birth of her second two children, Daniel Mitchell (the favorite) and Meagan Brianna (the baby). Sandra found a way to balance life, working full time, mothering double time and somehow finding time to cook dinner every night.
Together, Sandra & Nick raised their family of four like champions. All four kids attended school, some excelled, some expelled, but all graduated, some with honors. Sandra truly enjoyed watching her children & grandchildren grow, play sports, perform in plays & concerts, only having to bail one out of jail. Family vacations, annual Lake George trips, going to “the Lake” in Connecticut, were always her favorite times. Sandra provided countless lifelong memories for her children, grandchildren, their friends, her friends, her sisters & extended family.
Sandra was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas in 2009, her parent’s June & Joseph Kitson and her brother-in-law & lifelong friend Philip Lade.
Left behind to carry on Sandra’s legacy, her “beast” Dozer, the saddest German Shepard ever right now, her children, Nicole Casiano & her boyfriend, Brendan O’Grady of Campbell Hall, NY, Joelle LaBar & her husband Matthew of Goshen, NY, Daniel Schneider & his girlfriend, Nicole Barone of Campbell Hall, NY, Meagan “Olin” Schneider & Augie of Los Angeles, CA. Her grandchildren, Christian, Tyler, Baylee, Trystan, Peyton and Mason. Her sisters, sister- and brother-in-laws, Susan & Frank Schmaus, Marlene & Pat Arlotta, Lori Lade, Atilla Szamosszegi, Kevin Schneider, Keith & Brooke Schneider and Denise Randazzo. Her best friend, Michele Ortiz-Abramo and many, many nieces & nephews, as well as a significant extended family.
We would like to extend a special thank you to mom’s medical teams, Dr. Joshua Vernatter & Dr. Bella Fradlis of ORMG, Dr. John Ferguson, Dr. Matthew Meigh & Dr. Matthew Lucky of ORMC, Dr. Bernard Park & Dr. Isabel Preeshagul of MSKCC, the nursing staff of ORMC ER & MICU, MSKCC 18th floor & ICU, as well as the staff at Villa Marie Claire Hospice for their dedication and genuine compassion while going above & beyond for mom and tolerating the four of us.
In true Sandra fashion, she strictly forbid us from having traditional services. So, in keeping with our “instructions,” we would like to invite family & friends to a Celebration of Sandra’s Life on Sunday, September 22nd, 2019, from 2pm to 7pm at Cataract Engine & Hose, 40 Green Street, Goshen, NY. A blessing service will be held at 4:30pm. The celebration will be catered by Catherine’s of Goshen, however feel free to bring a favorite “Sandy” dish or dessert (maybe a mango) along. Also, per instruction (listen up, these are the rules), this is a jeans and t-shirt friendly event. Please bring any pictures and be ready to share your best memories. We have a journal that we would love to have everyone sign with a memory of their time with mom. Sandra would not want us to waste money on cut flowers so we request that donations be made to Walden Humane Society at https://waldenhumane.org in her name, since she was a fur baby lover.
Sandra lived a happy life and we are honored to celebrate the dash between the day she entered this world until the day she left it. We encourage you to do the same.
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