Helen Stewart Schneider Was Hospital Volunteer

Helen Stewart Schneider died quietly at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility of Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, Nov. 12, after a short stay.

She was born in Clinton on Dec. 13, 1903, to Margaret Dugan Stewart and George Stewart. Her two sisters, Marion, wife of Charles W. Gentsch, and Marjorie, wife of Arthur C. Hillner, predeceased her.

Helen was graduated from Clinton High School and married Arthur Schneider on Nov. 9, 1928. Prior to their retirement to the Vineyard in 1970, they lived in Amsterdam, N.Y., West Point, N.Y., Elkins Park, Pa., and Bronxville, N.Y.

Helen lived in Oak Bluffs for more than 30 years with her beloved husband, who predeceased her on Nov. 9, 1998. Helen and Art's lifelong close relationship with her sisters and their husbands continued throughout retirement. They not only had retired to Oak Bluffs together, living in the same neighborhood, but they had all grown up together in Clinton.

Helen was active in the Edgartown Federated Church where she was a member of the Unity Club. She was also a longtime volunteer at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, helping mainly in the pharmacy.

Helen was blessed with a gifted mind. She also was blessed with many friends and family who enjoyed her knowledgeable opinions concerning everything from the stock market to local politics. She was the family's source for the news of the day, and everyone went to her when any family history needed to be verified; her opinion on many subjects was always valued. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by a brother in law, Edmund Schneider; a niece, Jane Hillner Macuen of Oak Bluffs; a nephew, Charles Stewart Gentsch, married to Patsyann Maitland of Oak Bluffs and Englewood, Fla.; a nephew, William G. Hillner, married to Paula Murphy of Oak Bluffs and Lobito, Africa; a nephew, James Kerrigan, married to Mary Ragan of Rockledge, Fla.; a niece, Karen Kerrigan Black, married to Tom Black of Brunswick, Me.; a niece, Kathleen Kerrigan Horstmyer, married to Edward Horstmeyer of Malvern, Pa.; a nephew, Kim Kerrigan of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a nephew, Scott Schneider, married to Karen Cromer of Mauldin, S.C.; a nephew, Randy Schneider, married to Kathy Shepley of New Lawn, Pa.; and nephews Wayne Kramer and David Kramer. She also leaves many grand-nephews and nieces along with one great-grand-nephew and four great-grand-nieces.

A memorial service is planned for the summer of 2003 on the Vineyard. Donations in her memory may be made to Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the Federated Church, P.O. Box 249, Edgartown, MA 02539. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.