My Mom Is Put to Rest and Our Family Comes Together to Celebrate Her Life - February 11, 2011

As I reflect about today, I am trying to figure out the right word to describe it. I think the word LOVE has to be it.

Today was a day all about LOVE because I was surrounded by people that LOVE one another.




We came together to say good-bye to my mother, Edith Kadison Schneider. So many of my relatives and friends came together. That was all about LOVE.

I got to be with my dad, my sister, Lynnellen, and my brother Billy. I got to be with my sister's children and grandchildren. I got to be with my husband's mother, brothers, and my sister-in-law. My father's brother, Bobby, and his cousins and aunts and uncles were there. Their children came to be with us. My mother's cousins, nieces, and nephews, and their children were with us. My dad's very best friend's wife and daughter came to be with us. My closest and lifelong friend, Marion, and her husband Bruce, were there. Also, my sister's childhood friend, Sue, was there. A friend from roller skating and ice skating shared the day with us too.

Just seeing family and friends in one place was beautiful.

I said good-bye to my mom.

I hugged and hugged those I loved.

It was a long day. The service was beautiful. Rabbi Steven Moskowitz from Temple Israel in Long Beach did a wonderful job. My dad again shared the same thoughts and reflections and poems he shared at the Colorado service we had on Monday, February 7.

Then, I shared the same presentation I gave all about my mom (that also is in this blog) that I'd shared in Colorado on Monday. The memory slide show was shown once again.

We then moved to where my mom was put to rest. That was a difficult time for me, It was also so very difficult for my dad. It was especially hard when we saw my mother's coffin locked shut and moved to where other Schneider family members are resting. Seeing my Grandpa Max and Grandma Fannie names there brought tears to my eyes.

Once we got to the reception the "Celebration of Edith Kadison Schneider's Life" began. It was the most special time. My dad took the time to say a few more words and an open mic session followed. My Uncle Bobby shared some of his memories of my mom, then Lynnellen's close friend Sue, shared memories, followed by my dad's closest friend (Jerry Smith) daughter, Karen, then Lynnellen's son Cody, and then my best friend Marion.

Sue and Karen remember how my parents welcomed them into their home. Cody remembered his "little sweet Grandma" and how she was so scared to see him and his brother Drew ride scooters too fast down the street! Marion asked my dad why my mom and dad let her drive their car when she was only 16 and a brand new driver!

Then there was more visiting and love was passed around. It was hard to say good-bye.

Celebration of Life Memories For My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider 2-7-11

The Colorado funeral that took place today for my mom is over. Although it was a sad day, it was a great celebration of my mom's life. Rabbi Don Levy from Temple Beit Torah (where we are members) ran the service. After some prayers and readings from the rabbi, my dad shared some of his memories of my mom. My brother Billy then shared.

Daddy shared how my parents had been together for over 60 years and inseparable throughout life. He took the poem "Annabel Lee" (by Edgar Allan Poe) and changed part of it to "My Darling Edie."

Billy had wonderful memories to share too. He talked about how he took for granted all the things my mom did for him when he was a kid. He talked about how she made sure that he got to where he needed to be and ate right. He talked about how she made sure all he needed for skating competitions was ready. He talked about how dedicated a grandparent she has been to his children. He talked about how he took my mom to baseball games!

I had planned to read the memories I wrote on this blog about my mom, but instead, I sort of did both. I read some stuff and I just talked about what I wrote. I had six pages of memories, so it took me awhile to share them all! (My kids told me later that they thought their mom is a pretty entertaining speaker!)

Then, Sal Mancini sang "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" and played his guitar. We all joined in the chorus. (I asked Sal if he could perhaps learn the song over the weekend. I just knew my dad would enjoy hearing Sal sing at the service.)

After Sal sang, I put together a slide show to music that showed lots of photos from my mom's life.



After the ceremony, everyone went to the Schneider family home in Larkspur for lunch. There we celebrated my mom's life by spending quality time with people that have been close to my family for years. Everyone there, except for the rabbi, we have known through skating.

Sal brought his guitar in the house and I asked him to sing "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" again for my dad.



Now, it's time for the 2nd funeral which will take place this Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Forest Lawn on Cherry Ave. in Long Beach. All are welcome.

Memorial Service For My Mom Edith Kadison Schneider - Rescheduled for Monday, February 7, Castle Rock, Colorado

Edith Kadison Schneider's (my mom) memorial service has been rescheduled for this coming Monday February 7, 2011.

11:00 AM (visitation time begins 9:30 AM)
Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel
(303) 688-3191
407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.

A reception lunch will follow at the Schneider family's home in Larkspur, Colorado.

All are welcome.

In Lieu of Flowers...my dad has asked that gifts be sent to to either US Figure Skating's Memorial Fund or to the Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School where he is on the faculty.

A second memorial service will be held in Long Beach, California on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Forest Lawn Mortuary on Cherry Avenue. Details to follow.

• My Mom, Edith Kadison Schneider, Died 1-29-2011
• All About My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider

My Mom's Memorial Service - Delayed Due to Weather

Weather conditions have delayed my mom's memorial service. If you were planning on attending this Thursday, cancel your plans until further notice. Details on rescheduling to follow.

Memorial Service Information for My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider

Edith Kadison Schneider's (my mom) memorial service will be this Thursday February 3, 2011.

11:00 AM
Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel
(303) 688-3191
407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.

A reception will follow at the Schneider family's home in Larkspur, Colorado.

All are welcome.

In Lieu of Flowers...my dad has asked that gifts be sent to to either US Figure Skating's Memorial Fund or to the Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School where he is on the faculty.

A second memorial service will be held in Long Beach, California on Monday, February 7, 2011. Details to follow.

• My Mom, Edith Kadison Schneider, Died 1-29-2011
  
• All About My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider

My Mom, Edith Kadison Schneider, Died Today 1-29-11

Many of our family and friends have known for awhile that my mom, Edith Kadison Schneider, has been very, very ill.

My mom died early (at about 6:00 AM) this morning 1-29-11. Please keep my family and especially my father, Dr. Arthur Schneider, in your thoughts and prayers.

There will be a service in Colorado and also one in Long Beach, California in the coming week.

------------------------

My dad wrote the following this morning to the staff at the Chicago Medical School, where he is on the faculty:

'I got a call early this morning, my wife Edie (Edith K. Schneider) died quietly this morning. Many of you know that she has been quite ill since early September, and her passing was not unexpected.

The most wonderful thing that ever hapened to me was having her with me since we first met in 1948. We met on a "blind date" while we were both undergraduates at UCLA. The next morning, she called me and asked if I could help her with a car problem. We have never been apart since then.

On the practical side, she will be transported from here to Colorado where we will have a service by the gazebo of our home in Larkspur, Colorado. It is very beautiful there. Two of our children and their families live nearby. Following that she will be transferred to Forest Lawn in Long Beach, California where we will have a second service. Our youngest daughter and her family live near there. Long Beach and Colorado are our "real" homes. So in a sense, she will be returning home.'

Annabelle and Rebekah Go Snowshoeing! 1-23-11

The girls went snowshoeing with their scout group today, 1-23-11. They look so happy in this photo, but they told me it was freezing!

Annabelle Is a Star on US Figure Skating Brochures 2011!

One day in about 2005, Annabelle and I went to the rink. She was wearing a little purple fleece jacket that I covered with skating badges. She got her picture taken a few times that day. Little did I know that years later, those photos would be used for US Figure Skating's brochures and magazines! How cook is that?

Martin Luther Day Weekend 2011 (1-15 to 1-17-11)

Our family had the best holiday weekend! Saturday wasn't really a holiday for us, since Dan worked, Jo Ann taught skating and did quite a bit of writing, and Annabelle also skated, but on Sunday and Monday we went skiing and played in the snow!

Rebekah spent Saturday night and most of Sunday with her friend, Cassie, since the girls went to birthday party, so she didn't get to ski with us in Monarch, but joined us on Monday for some playing in the snow.

We especially love going to Ski Cooper, but couldn't to there due to bad weather, so we went to Monarch.

Whenever we ski, we are refreshed and rejuvenated. There is something wonderful and healing about being together in the Colorado outdoors. Dan can't ski due to the horrible accident he was in in 2005, but he can snowshoe.

We did think of our friend Haley Gans (who died on November 20, 2009) in a skiing accident in Breckenridge. Her memory will always be with us, especially when we go skiing.

We also had a great time just playing in the snow.

Our entire family thought about how wonderful it is that Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement made it possible for the United States to be a place of equal opportunity. There once was a time when figure skating clubs would not allow African Americans, Jews, Asians, or people from other minorities to join. There once was a time when schools were segregated. The world has certainly changed.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

My Sister, Lynnellen, Is the Grandmother of Twins!

My sister, Lynnellen, is now a grandmother! Her son, Cody Saint Marie, is now the father of twins, a girl and a boy!

The twins were born on January 7, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Info on the girl is:
Name: London Ann Le Morte Sainte Marie
Weight 5 lb 9 oz
In the pictures, she's the one with more hair and dressed in pink

Info on the boy is:
Name: Gage Ryden Le Morte Sainte Marie
Weight 6 lb 13 oz

Proud parents: Dakota (Cody) Sainte Marie and Tiffany Le Morte

This means that I'm a great-aunt and Billy is a great-uncle and that my parents are now great-grandparents!

Remembering 2010 and Happy 2011

Today is January 1, 2011. It's 1-1-11. Wow...it's hard to believe we have reached that date!

The past year went so fast, but it seems like the past decade has also flown by. I remember when people were wondering if the world would end in in 2000. The world is still here and it is 2011...

My youngest child, Annabelle, was born in 1999 and she only really remembers this past decade.

Anyway...enough of my rambling...

I will never forget 2010 because About.com sent me to the Winter Olympics as their sole media representative. Annabelle went with me. Going to the Olympics as a member of the media made me feel like I made the Olympics. It was an experience I will never forget.

Sadly, right in the middle of the men's long program, my husband's father, John Farris, died. While I was in Vancouver, Dan flew out to Long Beach to be with his father during his last days. It almost seemed like the two of us were in different realities during that time.

Other people we have known for many years who died in 2010 include Moishe Rosen and Annie Johnson.

I flew to Seattle before the Olympics and got to spend time with my cousin, Cherie Kadison Jay. Cherie became a grandmother a week or two after I left. Baby Lexie is the daughter of Cherie's son, Josh.

As usual, skating took up most of our time in 2010.

The things we'll remember most about skating in 2010 is that ALL THREE Schneider-Farris kids skated and competed in Midwesterns and at Junior Nationals. THAT is an achievement in itself. Annabelle also won the test-track Juvenile event at regionals.

We did some traveling too. During the summer, the kids and I went to Washington DC and Maryland to attend the Wheaton Ice Skating Academy Ice Dance Camp. We got to see the fireworks IN Washington DC ON the 4th of July!

We went to Long Beach and had a wonderful beach vacation in August. Dan had a great time visiting his family during that time. During that vacation, we got to see my dad's brother, Bobby, who we had not seen in about 15 years.

Joel and Rebekah and I also went to the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championsips where Joel and Rebekah won the intermediate free dance event.

Another highlight was getting to attend the 2010 Synchronized World Figure Skating Championships which took place right in Colorado Springs. I also went to the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Convention which was in Colorado Springs.

Also, both Annabelle and Rebekah went to Camp Ramah Outdoor Adventure.

My mother is very ill right now. She became very ill in early September of 2010. Our family didn't think she'd make it until 2011, but at this time, she's hanging in there. I went to visit her in Illinois during late December of 2010 and spent some quality time with her and my dad.

Other news is that my sister Lynnellen is about to become the grandmother! Lynnellen's son, Cody, will be the father of twins (a boy and girl). The babies are due any day now.

The kids and I made an commitment to take part in everything Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy offered this school year. That commitment has made them very busy. Through the school, they took part in the Parade of Lights Parade, were in a recital at the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and were part of the school's drama club presentation. They learned Taekwondo, Kung Fu, fencing, and baton. Joel said learning about the Holocaust at school was difficult, but he is glad he's had that opportunity. They kids got to make some great art projects in their art class. There is so much going on with their school, that the children's lives are so very busy and full. Although they are homeschooled, they are the busiest kids in the world in my opinion!

Some other "kind of neat things" are that thanks to Facebook, I've reunited with many friends from my past in 2010 including Bernadette McEwan (who I last saw the day I graduated from Junior High), Erin Madison (who was one of my best friends the first half of 8th grade I recall), Lenny Shaw (who went to elementary school with me starting in about 3rd grade), and Barbi Smith (who everyone in the figure skating world is so glad to find!).

I've reunited with many other people. In fact, my list of Facebook friends has grown to over 1100. Many of my Facebook friends are figure skaters. Skating just connects people. I love it!

Facebook has really made life fun in my opinion. Now I don't have to wait to December to receive holiday cards telling me what is happening in people's lives. It's great!

We wish all of our friends who read this a great 2011.

Happy New Year and Happy 2011!