Ruth Marjorie Schneider died at her Southampton home on August 2. She was 90 and had been suffering from cancer for several years and was in remission several times.
Born in Astoria, Queens, on August 22, 1923, she was the fifth of seven children of the former Elsa Kruger and Frederick Schneider. She attended P.S. 70 in Astoria until 1937, when her family moved to Jamaica Estates, and then graduated from Jamaica High. As a young woman, she kept up with all the Hollywood movies and idolized the actress and singer Deanna Durbin. Survivors said her delicate appearance belied her feisty spirit and strong determination. She had a powerful soprano voice and especially enjoyed singing holiday songs such as “Silver Bells” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” After high school she enjoyed a 40-year career in Manhattan, working for well-known companies such as Fabergé, J.J. Reynolds, Manufacturers Hanover Trust (later Chase) and McCall’s magazine.
In 1983, she opted for early retirement and relocated with her family to Southampton, changing to a lifestyle with more emphasis on the outdoors. She became an avid gardener, growing flowers and tomatoes, and tried to swim as many days as possible from late May until early October, both in the Hamptons and on Shelter Island. Her record one year was 93 swimming days. Always an eager traveler, she made many trips within the United States and also visited Germany, the land of her ancestors.
Despite enjoying the country life, Ms. Schneider never lost her love of New York City, and she continued to visit, enjoying the theater, the bustle and, of course, the holiday decorations. She also embarked on a long-planned writing career and tried her hand at poetry and short stories.
Until just days before her death, she stayed current with the news by reading Newsday the first thing each morning, and she was an avid crossword puzzle solver. She also kept up with the latest literature as a participant in the Rogers Memorial Library reading program for adults.
Ms. Schneider was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred, Hank and Ralph; and two sisters, Helen and Mildred. She is survived by a sister Alice of Southampton; a brother-in-law, George Young of Massachusetts; three nieces, Jean Curcuru and husband Anthony, and Janet Young and husband Tony Hilliard, and Diane Young, all of Massachusetts; a great-nephew, Gregory Moses and his children Savanna and Tariq; a great-niece, Stephanie Blanchard, husband Joe, and daughter Adelina, all of Massachusetts; and many cousins.
A funeral took place at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton on Wednesday, August 6, at 5 p.m. Burial was the next day at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Farm Road, Southampton, NY 11968.
on Aug 4, 2014