Mary Ann Schneider

Psalm 84:11

King James Version (KJV)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Mary Ann (Willison) Schneider died as she lived, trusting her God through difficult times and actively loving her family. During her final moments on this earth she mouthed the words to hymns of faith sung by friends and family members encircling her bed.

Mary Ann, 86, passed away on Saturday, November 17 in Kalamazoo from natural causes. She had lived in Lawrence for 35 years.

She was born December 5, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA to John and Hazel (Cook) Willison. She grew up in Michigan near Lake St. Clair where she learned to love sailing and swimming from her Danish-born father.

She received her degree from Wheaton College in Illinois, majoring in chemistry at a time when women studying science was rare. She worked as a lab assistant and as a teacher before starting her family.

Mary Ann was married 41 years to her loving husband Glenn Schneider, who preceded her in death. She assisted Glenn in establishing and managing three businesses in Michigan.

She was a dedicated mother, known for her thrift and her ability to set an attractive table. As a seamstress, she clothed her young family and sewed one-of-a-kind quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Mary Ann loved the English language, enjoying books, crossword puzzles, word games and a good pun. She often read to her children and grandchildren. Even in her last year she consistently won Scrabble games.

Beyond her family, her church was her mission and the center of her social life. She played piano, taught children’s classes and volunteered in myriad ways.

Mary Ann was known for pithy sayings that she learned from her mother. She bore advancing dementia with grace and humor, often saying, “My forgetter is getting better” and “growing old isn’t for sissies.” She was not a sissy.

She is survived by her brother David Willison; her four children: Irene (Douglas) Golike, Louise (Robert) Conradi, Joyce (Richard) Carrier and Paul (Mirette) Schneider; and six grandchildren: Mark (Linda) Conradi, Brandon (Bethany) Carrier, Caleb Conradi, Darrin Carrier, Laurel Conradi and Alex Schneider.

Funeral Services will be at 11 AM Friday, November 23. 2012 at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson – Paw Paw , 60900 M- 40 (657-3870). The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and immediately after at a catered lunch at East Arlington Baptist Church. Please Visit Mary Ann’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook online before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Partners in Evangelism (PIE) or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.