D. Schneiderheinze

PITTSFORD—Drucilla Rowell Schneiderheinze, 92, died on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at the home of her niece, after several years of declining health.

She was born on April 16, 1915, in South Royalton, the daughter of Glenn M. and Reta (Abbott) Rowell. She graduated from South Royalton High School in 1933 and from the Brattleboro Business Institute a year later. She worked for the Superintendent of Schools in South Royalton for two years, followed by eight years as assistant in the office of optometrist Dr. Laurence Folsom.

She was active in the United Church, its choir and church school, and was secretary of the S.R.H.S. Alumni Association from 1934-45.

During World War II, she participated in the American Red Cross nutrition program, was an aircraft spotter, and enrolled in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s civilian pilot training program at the White River Junction Airport, obtaining her private pilot’s license in 1945. Moving to Burlington that September, she joined the Civil Air Patrol, and over 28 years, rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel.

From 1945-1950, she worked in the office of the then Vermont Church Council in Burlington, then worked for Vermont Congregational Conference, which became the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ in the mid-1960s, retiring in December 1980. She volunteered there and at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra until November 1998.

She had been a member of the College Street Congregational Church U.C.C. in Burlington, Friends of the South Burlington Library, the South Burlington Community Chorus, and the Burlington Theatre Club, Inc. She was a seasoned traveler whose trips often included visits to loved ones in the United States and Paraguay, but also included such destinations as England, France, Mexico, Brazil, and Yugoslavia.  

She was predeceased in 1971 by her husband, Earl Schneiderheinze, formerly of Reeds Ferry, N.H.; a younger sister, Norma R. Swift, of Pittsford; and by twin brothers, who died at birth in 1917.

Survivors include a niece, Gayle R. Swift of Pittsford; two nephews, David R. Swift of Pittsford and Paul R. Swift of Bronx, New York; and their families.

A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Pittsford in the spring. Burial will be in the Rowell lot in Riverview Cemetery in South Royalton, at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ (36 North Main Street Randolph, Vt. 05060), or to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (2 Church Street, Burlington, Vt. 05401).

The Barnard Funeral Home in Pittsford is handling arrangements.

____________