6/10/31–4/9/22
Joan Schneider passed away peacefully the morning of April 9th, 2022. Joan had been living at Silver Maples Residential apartments in Chelsea, Michigan since March 2020. Before that, she lived at Manzanita Village Cohousing community in Prescott, Arizona. She and Albert Schneider raised their 5 children in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Paul, Barbara, Teresa, Audrey, and Joseph. Joan was the grandmother of 9 and great-grandmother of 12. Joan was a nurse for many years in Chicago prior to raising her family. When she moved to Michigan, she worked in neurology at the UM Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was a spirited and intelligent woman who took flying lessons and studied psychology at the University of Michigan. She was active in politics and was supportive of the Women’s and Civil Rights movements. Joan learned to make beautiful baskets, selling them at The Gallery, an artist’s cooperative in Prescott, Arizona. She was passionate about teaching other people her basket-making skills. After moving to Silver Maples, Joan had a front lobby display of her baskets. She was very proud of that. Joan was an avid student of life until her last breath—a living testament to the wisdom that comes from staying curious, prioritizing gratitude, and committing oneself to growth through both introspection and engagement with each sphere of our human community (from next door to around the globe). She found humor and joy in abundance and loved music, swimming, and color. Some of her most repeated words of wisdom encouraged laughing and dancing as often as possible. The family is grateful to the staff and the many friends Joan had at Silver Maples. She felt welcomed and at home. We also appreciate the care given from Arbor Hospice, especially from Tina and nurse Becky, for their incredible love, care, and concern in our mother’s last months of life. Donations can be made in support of justice for women and children, the environment, and support for people in crisis with substance abuse. Ideas: Safe House of Ann Arbor, Dawn Farm, A2 Zero, ACLU, AA, and the Huron River Watershed Council.
