Obituary of Ada Schneider

Ada Schneider, 83, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. Ada grew up in Sleepy Hollow, NY, as the 7^th of 8 children of Italian immigrants, Frank and Maria Ippolito.

During her childhood, Ada developed a love of music, which she continued to explore personally and professionally throughout her entire life. As an elementary school student at St. Teresa’s School, she learned to play the piano and, in 4th grade, joined the church children’s choir. In 1956, Ada graduated from Scarborough Country Day School, the first Montessori school in the US. Her early Montessori exposure helped forge her independence and a growth mindset that carried on throughout her professional and personal life. She continued her education, earning a BS at Ithaca College as a music and music education major in piano as well as an MA from Teachers College at Columbia University. Ada was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), a professional music fraternity.

After completing her education, Ada worked as a choral music teacher in New Jersey, teaching nursery through high school levels. Her next career challenge led her to New York City retail, where she worked in people management at Saks 5^th Avenue and at Georg Jensen Inc. She frequently told stories about supervising difficult employees and working with high profile customers. She prided herself in acquiring dining pieces that she delighted in using for guests, hosting special holidays, parties, or Sunday dinner.

While in NYC, Ada met and fell in love with Franz Schneider; they shared a passion for music and education. They were married in St Teresa’s Church in Tarrytown, NY in 1969 and recently celebrated their 53^rd wedding anniversary. They settled in Kendall Park, New Jersey, where Ada devoted herself to raising her three children. Inspired by her mother, Ada lived her lifelong dream by making motherhood her primary focus. She worked tirelessly to continue her musical career by initiating and directing the South Brunswick Community Chorus, honing her vocal skills through professional coaching in the Alexander Technique, teaching private voice and piano lessons, and becoming the primary cantor for Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, New Jersey, where she sang professionally at numerous weddings and funerals, weekly Sunday masses, and religious holidays.

In 1998, Ada and Franz retired to Sarasota, Florida. Always a devoted Catholic, Ada joined St. Thomas More Church and became a member of the Women’s Club. She also formed a gathering group of members to be present at church activities. She survived breast cancer with her usual toughness. Ada and Franz traveled internationally. Ada sang with the Key Chorale under Daniel Moe with the Sarasota Orchestra from 1999-2009.

Ada was always the gatherer and the motivator in the family. She was a dedicated cook and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Passionate about her heritage and Italian culture, she transcribed all her mother’s family recipes to ensure they were passed to future generations. She also passed on her family’s love for gardening. A believer in physical fitness, Ada spent as much time as possible in the pool and kept walking as long as she was able. She enjoyed sharing her interest in creating and appreciating music with her children and grandchildren. Her love of family never ceased. 

She is survived by her husband, Franz, her three children, Jennifer (Mark), Karl (Olivia), and Monica (Alan), her siblings Aldo, Dino, and Alma, and her nine beloved grandchildren, Christian, Luca, Mia, Mark Jr., Keira, Jake, Ava, Harrison, and Mitchell. In death, she joins her parents and her siblings Ezio, Vera, Elio, and Ugo.

Your kind words and memories of Ada would be most appreciated. If you are inclined to give a donation, the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's was extremely helpful when Ada was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (NeuroChallenge.org or 722 Apex Rd, Suite A, Sarasota, FL 34240 or 1-941-926-6413 x 100). Ada also attended many useful sessions at Parkinson Place (ParkinsonPlace.org or 5969 Cattleridge Blvd, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232). Please mention that your donation is in memory of Ada.