SCHNEIDER, Jeanne was born in 1940 in Brooklyn, NY, where she was adopted by Dr. Mark and Mary Alice Shay. Filled with strong faith and compassion, Jeanne began what would become a lifetime career of helping others as an educator in New York for the Diocese of Brooklyn before moving to Florida and working for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, where she spent more than 30 years. Jeanne was a good friend to countless parishioners and neighbors who needed a sympathetic ear or validation in their own lives. Incredibly resourceful, Jeanne had the ability not only listen to those in need but also to help families in need navigate programs for assistance. She also had a passion for helping animals and founded a yearly animal blessing event at nearly every church she where she worked. Once diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2014, Jeanne made the most of her remaining time on this earth, as she had done the previous 75 years, helping all of God's creatures. Despite eventually being placed on oxygen and steroids, she maintained an active role in her faith community at St. Stephen's parish in Valrico, and in her children's lives. Jeanne died at Tampa General Hospital on April 21, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Christine and Mark Anderson, Allyson and Robert Whiteley, and Ed and Lydia Schneider; as well as her best friend, Mary Jane Balicki, and her beloved animals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any animal shelter or women's shelter. Jeanne's life will be celebrated in a funeral mass at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico, May 28 at 11 am and she will be interred in a family service in Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens in New Port Richey, with her mother.

Serenity Meadows Memorial Park & Funeral Home - Riverview

Published in the Tampa Bay Times from May 22 to May 23, 2016