Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-life-panel.jpg

Louise Schiavone

March 28, 1942 - November 7, 2022
Portage, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-01.jpg



Visitation

Monday, November 14, 2022
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
1150 W. Centre Ave.
Portage, MI 49024
Web Site

Mass of Christian Burial

Monday, November 14, 2022
11:00 AM EST
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
1150 W. Centre Ave.
Portage, MI 49024

A luncheon will follow the mass in the church hall.

Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Comstock Community Center
Web Site

St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

From the time she was a young girl, Louise Schiavone dreamt of being a teacher. Though teaching did not end up being her career, Louise was thrilled to be able to realize her dream later in life. She made a difference in countless lives through her volunteer work sharing her knowledge and time. Louise’s memory will carry on in the lives of her family as well as the many friends and acquaintances that benefited from her knowledge, kindness, and generosity.

In 1942, the song “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra was gaining in popularity. A song about a WWII serviceman longing for his girl back home, it tugged at the heartstrings of many young men serving their country in the armed forces. In the Schiavone home in Kalamazoo, there was a bright spot amidst all that was happening around the world as Louise was welcomed into her parents’ hearts and home. Louise was later joined by her siblings, Pat, Albert, and Pauline. Dad supported the family as a photographer and Mom worked by his side at the studio and kept the household in order.

Even as a young child, Louise was eager to learn new things. She was a good student and she truly enjoyed school which helped to fuel her desire to become a teacher. In addition to her classes, she broadened her knowledge with piano lessons. But, life wasn’t all work and no play. Many cherished memories were made on the weekends at the family cottage in Benton Harbor where the family raised chickens, turkeys, and ducks and tended to their gardens.

Following graduation from St. Augustine High School in 1960, Louise went on to attend Junior College in Battle Creek and Lake Michigan College with her sights set on becoming a teacher. As luck would have it, life intervened and teaching was not in the cards for her. She spent much of her career at Kmart, starting as a clerk and eventually becoming assistant manager which took her to Lapeer, Detroit, and Cleveland.

Though she never married, Louise shared a special relationship with her nieces and nephews. She was generous with her time and resources and she loved to invite them to join her on trips up north when they were able. She wasn’t demonstrative in her affection, but there was never a doubt that she cherished her family. They knew they could always count on Louise to be there for them, even if it was on “Schiavone Time.”

Idle hands were never an issue for Louise. It was a rare occasion that she would be found without her knitting or crocheting in her lap. She was known for her ability to do multiple things at one time. Much to the chagrin of her family, that included knitting or crocheting while driving! When not doing needlework, Louise could be found in the kitchen, baking everyone’s favorite cookies (and giving them away) or canning fruits and vegetables. Since she was a vegetarian, these preserves were enjoyed year-round when fresh fruits and vegetables were out of season. An excellent seamstress, Louise was generous with her time, creating amazing costumes over the years. Family members benefited from her talents receiving everything from blankets and animals to hats and mittens. Louise was thoughtful when donating – always making sure the item was truly wanted and needed.

Louise loved working in her yard at her home on West Lake in Portage. Even though she rarely went out on the boat and was actually afraid of water, Louise appreciated the beauty that living on a lake provided. In her quieter moments, Louise could be found lost in the pages of a book or doing a daily Wordle puzzle, with her beloved cat, Sweetie. She had numerous cats over the years and since she never married, they provided much needed love and companionship throughout her life.

Following her retirement from Kmart in 1999, Louise worked at Schram’s greenhouse, as well as Wings Stadium. She was active at her church, attending many craft shows and then donating her profits back to a cause. After retiring for good in 2005, she looked for ways to keep busy. While on a bus trip with the Comstock Community Center, a woman took notice of Louise knitting and suggested that she teach at the Community Center. In addition to creating a knitting group there, Louise also teamed up with other women at St. Catherine of Siena to make prayer shawls, taught knitting at Brookdale, an assisted living center, and at Westland Meadows, a senior apartment complex where she worked with residents on their stitching projects. At Senior Service of Southwest Michigan, Louise worked with others to create hats, mittens, blankets, and teddy bears to donate to those in need. While there, she also joined RSVP – Your Invitation to Volunteer where she helped others through knitting and crocheting, but more importantly, by giving them a purpose and sense of community.

Quoted in an article written by Phyllis Rose in the Senior Times, Louise said, "I'm happy with the way things turned out.” Though it may not have been her life’s work, Louise was finally able to realize her dream of being a teacher. Even if she didn’t realize it, she was so much more than that. Through her passion of knitting and crocheting, she changed the lives of many for the better. She provided them with new skills, a sense of accomplishment, and the gift of companionship. Louise’s legacy of generosity and willingness to serve will carry on in the many lives she touched.

Sadly, Louise Schiavone passed away on November 7, 2022 at her home on West Lake. Louise was preceded in death by 2 siblings: Pauline Birdsall and Albert Schiavone; nephew, Michael Hawkins; and brother-in-law, Larry Hawkins. Members of family include her sister, Pietrina “Pat” Hawkins; in-laws, Nova Schiavone and John Birdsall; nieces and nephews: Lorrie (Bill) Bonczyk, John (Holly) Hawkins, Rosemarie (Ted) Glynn, Donald Hawkins, David (Anna) Birdsall, Amber (Cortny) Robison, Ashley (Charlie) Cartwright, and Joseph Birdsall; great-nieces and nephews: Samantha, Elizabeth, Jessica, Joshua, Larry, Ava, Sophia, Mae, Roman, Maisie, Zayla, and Vayda. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Monday (NOV 14) 11AM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish with viewing beginning at 10 AM. A lunch will follow in the church hall, and burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visit Louise’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Comstock Community Center or to St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 375-2900.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/141672/141672-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg