Obituary of Bette A. Schneider

BETTE A. SCHNEIDER Kind and generous, tolerant and thoughtful, Bette gifted us with her unconditional love and unyielding sense of humor. She taught us the meaning of courage and grace in the face of adversity. Having been challenged for the last 8-1/2 years with Frontotemporal Degeneration, Bette set her spirit free on the 11th of August, 2011. Born June 14, 1955 in Binghamton, NY to Adolph G. & Mildred R. (Humphrey) Schneider, Bette resided in Johnson City until graduating from Johnson City High School in 1973. She furthered her education at SUNY Cortland, graduating with a BSE in Physical Education in 1977. Her interests, while there, found her involved in many sports programs, (lacrosse, volleyball and softball where she was a catcher for 3 years with the varsity team). She was an active member of the Theta Phi Alpha Sorority. She completed an MSE degree in Adaptive Physical Education from SUNY Cortland in 1984. Being the vibrant person she was who had a zest for life, her hobbies found her dedicating her time to raising and releasing game birds, gardening in her flower beds and keeping up with her songbird feeders and houses. People stopping by would often find her outside involved in those hobbies, animals at her side, while her favorites tunes were playing nearby. Bette was employed with Pall Corporation starting in September of 1978. She was a 1st Class ASME Code Welder with nuclear certification prior to her retirement in August of 2006. Her life-long partner and best friend, Sue Klinger, as well as her step-father, Jack Hennessey, and her only sibling Wayne (Karen) Schneider, nephew and nieces respectively, Scott, Stacy and Susan Schneider survive Bette. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends & animals also survive her. Of these survivors, especially noteworthy are Sues family including her parents, Ben & Norma Klinger, who always thought of Bette as their own daughter, Sues brother Steve (Elaine) Klinger, nephews and nieces , Stephen (Jessica), Jason and Rachael Klinger, Jeremy and Kristie Schiefer. One great nephew, Layn Holden Klinger (the gentle giant) also survives Bette. In lieu of flowers, please consider Bettes wishes for donations to any of the following organizations: Hubbards Hounds Dog Rescue, PO Box 113, Homer NY 13077 www.hubbardshounds.com The Cortland Fund, Cortland College Foundation, PO Box 2000, Cortland NY 13045. Please specify Theta Phi/Camp Huntington Project Fund. The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station, Building 2 Suite 320, Radnor, PA 19087 www.theaftd.org Join us for a memorial celebration of Bettes life on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland NY @ 2:00 PM. We will be welcoming family and friends at the funeral home prior to the service from noon-2 PM. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com Sue, I wish to express my sincere sympathy to you. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to know and to work with Bette, the funny, compassionate, full of life woman that she was. She was always a joy to be around and I know she will be missed. I only wish that I lived closer so I could help support you in your grief at this time. Bill Leach Sue, pets, family, and frinds, My deepest sympathy for your loss. Although, I hadn't crossed paths with Bette or Sue in years, I will always remember Bette's love for life, animals, friends, her home, and her sports. Having played softball against and with her and Sue for many years, I always admired the wonderful qualities of Bette. Not only that she was the most gifted and talented athlete, but she was the most honest, sincere, compassionate and fun loving person around. Dedicated and thrilled with living life to the fullest, Bette touched the lives and will be remembered fondly by many. May you all, hold and cherish those memories of a person who has left this life much too soon. My prayers to you all. Sincerely, Tammy Beardsley Dear Sue, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am to hear about Bette. I know how hard it is to have someone that we love pass away. Something that I learned is that we all have to greive in our own way, in our own time. Allow yourself that! And when you are able to, your tears will dry, and you will remember Bette with laughter and joy instead of the sadness and pain that you are feeling. I have many fond memories of Bette and will always remember her sense of humor and her quick wit. Please know that I am thinking of you! With Much Love, Wendy Bette was my volleyball teammate and sorority ?daughter? at Cortland. She was a natural on the volleyball court with the sweetest hands for a setter. Always laughing, smiling, sharing, with Sue and her friends and family. We will miss her. Oh how we have learned about love and care and life from Bette. Teri Tiso Dear Sue, we wanted you to know that you are in our prayers and how sorry we are about the loss of Bette. I'm so glad I met you both while working at Trinity, you guys always made me feel welcomed. Enjoyed the rides we all got to go on with both of you. She will be missed but will always be remembered. love you. Penny Bushaw I am incredibly shocked and saddened to hear of Bette's passing. Bette was my hero in highschool. I had the utmost admiration for her athletic abilities, humor, and amazing personality. My sincerest condolences to all. Karen Comfort Dear Sue and Family, I am very sorry to hear about Bette. I prayed for her every day and am sure that she is in Heaven now. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Patty Jack Sue, I am sorry for not being in attendence! You can be assured the Bette brought a great deal of light and love into many peoples' lives. She will truly be missed by all. Love to you, Hucker Dear Sue, I am very sorry to hear of Bette's passing. I met Bette at Skyliner Restaurant when she was a college student and a part time cook there, and I a waitress. We shared a ton of laughs and good times. I left there and went to Pall Trinity and she went to the Hess. Bette wanted to get a job at Trinity so I helped her out. Not long after that I had the privilege of working with both of you and our lives and friendship grew through the years. I visited Bette several times in the last year and yes she remembered me and greeted me with that wonderful smile and a big hug. Bette was always a true friend to all who knew her. You have both been there for me in my time of sorrow at the loss of my sister Sidra and my son Shawn. Now it is time for me to be there for you. May your grief be short and your heart lifted with precious memories of your wonderful life with Bette. With Love, Barb Dear Sue...Jim & I would like to express our heart-felt sympathy for the loss of your loved one & for what you have had to endure. I know Bette will be missed so much by many. During this time of sadness & grief in your life; just know you have a lot of friends and support. You, your family, & Bette's family are in our thoughts and prayers. Sorry we were not able to attend the ceremony. Again.....know we're here for you, Sue !!! Jim & Sharon Murdock