Helen Warner Schneider

Helen W. Schneider

Helen Schneider passed away peacefully on the morning of March 26th, 2023, at her home in Escondido, California at the age of 85. She was born in New Jersey, moved to Vermont with her parents as a child, lived in Florida following her father’s retirement, enjoyed a summer home in Island Park, Idaho near West Yellowstone, MT and lived the rest of her life in Escondido after coming to California in 1968. She often said that she lived in the four corners of the United States.

Helen graduated as valedictorian from St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, a widely known private college and university preparatory boarding school. She studied the ministry and was ordained. Later, she graduated from Anthony Schools and became a well-regarded Real Estate Broker within the North County/San Diego area, as President of two Real Estate Corporations. She was very active with the Association of Realtors, on the Board of Directors and chairing Committees and as Realtor of the Year in Escondido. She also worked for the City of Escondido for 10 years during the winter months in many departments while spending summers in Idaho. One of the City Manager’s called her the City’s only Itinerant Worker, but she was lovingly known around the office as “The List Lady” in the Risk Management/Benefits Department. Helen became a student of psychology and was on a metaphysical spiritual journey, teaching and writing diligently in many venues of service during her retirement.

She is also remembered for delivering Meals on Wheels for two years and mailing out about 150 Holiday Greeting Cards that she made by hand out of fabric and paper, at the end of every year for family and friends. Helen was also a member of the American Sewing Guild including Bits and Pieces sewing club in Escondido.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, Robert John Schneider, her son, Joel Maitoza, and his wife Bella Elliott-Maitoza, Jason and Oliver Elliott, Jennifer, Kevin, Ellie, Averie and Jaxon Thompson, Robert (Johnny) Schneider II, and his wife JoEllen, Candace Courson and her husband Thomas, Jaclyn Ghio, and stepdaughter Lee Ann Smith. She is also survived by Linda Mordhorst and husband Richard, Lu-Ann Jill Spinelli and husband Joe Van Koppen, Dina Spinelli Bargiel and Jo-Ann Spinelli, in addition to Lisa and Dennis Jansen, Dylan, Robin, Jessica and their families.

She was adored and survived by 15 Grandchildren, who knew her as Grandma Helen or Grandma Nelson. Helen sewed clothes, made stuffed animals, dolls and doll clothes, blankets, pillowcases, placemats, purses and crafts. She is also survived by Autumn Frantz, Jessamyn Schneider, Thomas Courson II, Donald Courson, James Courson, Rebekah Courson, Joseph Ghio, Nicolet Ghio, Lorie Smith, Janelle Chappell, Kristi Smith and Tracie Alman.

Remebered by her 35 great Grandchildren and 3 great, great, great grandchildren for all the sewing gifts include Michael Frantz, Isaac Frantz, Dylan Corbett, Peyton Ryan Corbett, Tabor Tarpley, Taija Tarpley, Trista Courson, Thomas Courson III, Tarynn Jack Courson, Katarina Courson, Allessandra Courson, Noah Sonenstein, Ariel Jolie Sonenstein, Ashley Chappell, Hailey Chappell, Trae Chappell, Reese Chappell, Brittany Smith Hornsby, Deanna Alman, and Alaina Rose.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Allen Brothers Mortuary, 435 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 with a service given by Richard Huls at 1:00pm on April 16th, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembering Helen with a donation to the Helen Schneider Trust.

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