Mary Eleanor Schneider

Mary Eleanor (Martin) Schneider was born in Berwyn, IL on April 9, 1943, to Elmer and Bernice Martin.  She grew up in Irwin, PA and is survived by her siblings, George, John, Tom, Anne, Jimmy, and Maggie.  Years later, while attending CYO the Catholic Young Adult Group in Culver City, CA, Mary met Jim Schneider and they quickly fell in love.  They married on April 22, 1967, and were blessed with three daughters, Patty, Karen, and Julie.  As a young family, they relocated to Lompoc, CA in 1977 and have lived there ever since.

Mary was a lively person, to say the least, always making people laugh, giving advice, and keeping herself busy.  Crafting was one of Mary’s many hobbies, and anyone who attended her annual Christmas Craft Show can attest to her skill and love for the details.  Mary enjoyed sports, both coaching and umpiring baseball and softball, and playing tennis for many years, and she kept active with swimming and exercise classes well into her later years.  She was also dedicated to her community and her church, spending countless summers working in the kitchen at Sacred Heart Girls Camp in Big Bear, CA. The term “Schneiderize” was coined largely due to Mary’s innovate ways of saving money – whether it be the handfuls of Taco Bell hot sauce, making “lemonade” from free water and lemons at a restaurant, or crowd sourcing coupons from her friends around the neighborhood.  They may not freely admit it, but her family has surely inherited some of these habits for themselves.

Mary, or as they know her, Mimi, was a proud grandmother of seven, Devin, Austin, Emily, Zachary, Jacob, Avery and Spencer.  She found joy in sneaking them donut holes in the early morning before their parents woke up, whispering little jokes into their ears at the dinner table, and visiting them around the world to attend their sporting events, graduations, first communions, family reunions and holidays. 

Just a few weeks ago, Mary’s daughters visited her and Jim to tell stories, cook together, and reminisce in their childhood home for the first time as a whole family in more than 20 years.  Mary and Jim were overjoyed to have this quality time with their daughters, and we know those memories will be cherished forever.  Late on February 20th, 2023, Mary passed on peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband, daughters and family. 

Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, February 28th at 2 p.m. at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Lompoc, CA, with a reception to follow from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center where Mary attended exercise classes for many years.  All who loved her are welcome to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.