Lois Schneider

Lois Schneider, 91, passed peacefully in her sleep in Oakland, California on October 15, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Lois Ellen Steele was born in Millvale, Pennsylvania on April 23, 1934, to Leonard and Elizabeth Steele. Her father died when she was a child and she was raised there by her grandparents, Paul and Magdalena Steele. She spent her earlier years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating from Shaler High School in 1952. Lois then attended and graduated from Robert Morris Business College and later worked at Aluminum Company of America and Gulf Oil Corporation.

On May 25, 1958, Lois married Edward Schneider in Pittsburgh and so began their life journey of 67 years. After their wedding, the couple relocated to El Paso, Texas, where Ed was stationed in the army at Fort Bliss. Lois worked as a secretary at William Beaumont Hospital until the birth of their first child in 1959.

In 1960, the family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, and between then and 1963 they had three more children. After the children grew older, Lois worked as a secretary, first for the Los Alamos County Schools and later for the Health Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Although she retired in 1993, she continued to work part time for the laboratory and was a volunteer at the Los Alamos Senior Center.

Due to her declining health, Lois moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022 to be near her eldest son, Steven.

Lois was a kind, loving person, a devoted catholic, and a wonderful mother and grandmother to her sons and grandchildren. She loved spending time attending their sports, school and church activities. She truly cherished visits with her grandchildren. Lois loved gardening, reading, playing cards, and walking the neighborhood trails with friends. She also adored animals and spoiled many pets over the years. It was no wonder why stray cats and dogs often found their way to the Schneiders’ front door.

Lois is survived by her husband, Edward Schneider; her sons Steven, Douglas, Curt and Chris; and their families, including six grandchildren.

A mass and reception will be held Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Los Alamos.

The family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Espanola Humane (espanolahumane.org).