D. Jean Schneider

Jean Schneider, 90 passed away on Nov.19, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.

Jean grew up on a farm near Hastings, MN and graduated from Good Council Academy in Mankato, MN. She then joined the Maryknoll Order of Nuns in hope of doing missionary work. After a few years Jean left the convent. She earned a Degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, then traveled to Brazil to be with her uncle, Father Brice, who was a Franciscan Missionary there.

Jean then went on to Rutgers University in New Jersey for her Masters Degree. She stayed and spent her life working at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as a faculty member from 1972 to 1994.

She bought a house in Glen Ridge, New Jersey nearly fifty years ago. Jean became acquainted with a Brazilian in Newark, NJ, and began to help him both financially and with his work. In July of 1998 Jean adopted a grown son, Father Joao Bosco Lima, who had now become a missionary priest in Brazil. Jean had learned the language. She often traveled to Brazil. She put her social work to work. She spent much time, energy, and investment of health for the people there. She became a consultant to the Archdiocese of Aracaju. She wrote several proposals and had gotten money for a parish car, and many other needs of the parishes in Brazil. She helped build a center in Brazil where women could learn trades to support their families.

She traveled to Europe and the Holy Land a number of times. She was the President of The Newark Archdiocesan Council of Catholic women.

Jean was the oldest of ten children and each year at her large family gatherings, Father Bosco and Jean received donations for the missionary work they were doing in Brazil. Over those many years, Jean often spent the holidays and special events back in Minnesota with Family. Father Bosco died from cancer in Newark in July 2021. Jean had begun to experience some health concerns by then. She died at Mountainside hospital in New Jersey with a good friend at her side until the end. Jean will be greatly missed by her large family and many friends in New Jersey and Brazil.

Preceded in death by parents, Hubert and Agnes (Schiltgen) Schneider and Margaret Richter Schneider; brother, Roger Schneider; sister, Patricia Schneider.

She is survived by siblings, Catherine Schneider Cich, Hubert "Buster" Schneider, Donald Schneider, Mary Schneider Schulte, Gregory Schneider, Frank Schneider, Richard "Dick" Schneider.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 15 at 11:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hastings with a visitation from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. A lunch reception will follow the service with interment taking place at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery, Hastings following at 1:30.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.