The Times Record; Brunswick ME; 2011-9-1
BRUNSWICK --- Charlotte Schneiderman, 85, of Brunswick, died Thursday,
August 26th 2011 at Mere Point, Mid coast Senior Center ending a number
of years of handling the challenges of Alzheimer's with incredible grace
and candor.
Charlotte was born on April 8, 1926 in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Her
father, Samuel Robins a Jewish immigrant from Russia, came to America
at 15 with his family. Charlotte's mother Ada Goldberg was a first
generation American of Russian Jewish ancestry.
The Robins family moved several times, looking for better work
opportunities for her father who ran a small, men's clothing shop.
Charlotte attended the Norfolk Division of William and Mary and New
York University graduating with a bachelor's in history. She would often
recall studying one early morning in Washington Square and having Eleanor
Roosevelt stop and talked with her.
On May 16th 1949 Charlotte married Herb Schneiderman and they were
married until Herb's death in 2010. In New York, Charlotte worked as a
social worker for the city welfare department and took graduate social
work courses. Around 1951, Charlotte and Herb moved to Washington DC.
In Washington Charlotte worked as a truant officer and then earned a
Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland. Charlotte
then worked as a Librarian for the DC Public School schools, Roosevelt
and Woodrow Wilson High Schools for 20 years, recognized by a retirement
award for her devoted service. After Charlotte retired she volunteered
at an Elementary School, where she was recognized as a Super Senior in
1997 for her seven years volunteering.
In 2006 Charlotte and Herb moved to Maine full time where they had
summered since 1988.
Charlotte was an avid reader and kept track of nearly every book she
read. She loved to dance and Charlotte and Herb were often the first on
the floor. Charlotte was a member of book groups, enjoyed plays, musicals
and dance performances. She loved music and as a young girl collected
hundreds of lyrics from newspapers. She enjoyed traveling to Europe and
Mexico. Charlotte loved continuing education, be it Elder Hostel trips,
college courses in Mexico or adult education courses in Washington. As
a Bath resident, she volunteered every year for the Bath Library Annual
Fourth of July book sale and enjoyed line dancing at the Bath Rec.
Charlotte had a dynamic spirit. There wasn't much she would not try. She
was admired and loved by her family and a great friend to people who
knew her. Charlotte was direct in her approach and had a wonderful,
dry sense of humor. She cared deeply about her family, her community as
well as national and world concerns.
Charlotte is survived by daughters Rachel Schneiderman and Annie Valliere;
son --in law, Robert Valliere; Grandchildren, Bethany and Dave Roderer,
Leah Valliere and Mike Buescher, Rose Valliere and Louis Valliere;
great grandchildren, Nate, Alex and Tom Roderer; a niece Jane Courant
and nephew Alan Weinstein.
We would like to thank the incredible organizations and workers who
have helped to support Charlotte in these last years; CHANS Home Health
private duty, Hospice nurses and Mid Coast Hospice volunteers, Hearth
Side Senior Assistance, Neighbors Inc., and finally the dedicated staff
at Mere Point, Midcoast Senior Health Services. We also want to thank
the great community of Thornton Oaks staff and residents who have been
friends and support to Charlotte and her family.
A memorial service and celebration of Charlotte's life will be held at
Thornton Oaks, 25 Thornton Way, Brunswick, Maine on Sunday October 9th,
at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association,
Maine Chapter or Hospice Volunteers of Mid Coast Maine.
obits@timesrecord.com