Bryan Schnepf
Catherine M. Schnepf's eulogy, delivered June 6, 2020, at her graveside service at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens:
On behalf of my brother Charlie, his wife Kathy, my wife Dawn, and me, thank you for joining us today as we say goodbye — for now — to a very special lady, Catherine Mary Schnepf.
Catherine lived a long and full life. She was happily married to our Dad, George Frank Schnepf, for 68 years and together they raised four boys, Georgie, Gregory, Charlie, and me. Mom also embraced her daughters-in-law as her own and enjoyed coddling to seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and counting. Two of Mom’s grandchildren, Gary Murman and Angel Schnepf are here with us today. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the whole family couldn’t be here today, but we are all united in spirit.
Prior to marrying our Dad, Mom grew up in New York City with her parents, Joseph and Mary Zanini, and her sister Mary Antionette, our Aunt Nettie. She was full of energy and lived her youth during the Great Depression, a time of scarcity and uncertainty that stuck with Mom for all her days. Mom then came of age during the 1940s, a time of war-driven patriotism as our country emerged as a world leader. I suppose that post-war economic recovery is what made Mom so strong-minded and confident.
Mom was also fanatical about music: listening, dancing, singing, and especially playing the piano. She entertained weary sailors during World War II and was the life of parties with family and friends well into her 90s! Mom had an incredible gift to play by ear. She had no formal training and she didn’t read sheet music. Mom would simply listen to a song once, virtually any song from any genre — big band, show tunes, pop music, jazz, even rock-and-roll — and then simply tickle the ivories and make beautiful music. It was amazing to watch her play and a talent I’ve always been proud of. I think of my Mom often when I listen to music now.
Mom and Dad loved to travel, especially taking cruises. After they retired, they relocated to Fort Myers and traveled around the world, sight-seeing and exploring exotic destinations. They also liked to host family visits and share everything the Sunshine State has to offer.
Mom was extremely proud of her New York roots and also liked to brag about her adopted state of Florida. She often boasted about her New York blood or her Florida blood, depending on the situation. After Dad passed in 2016, we brought her to live in Connecticut to be closer to her four boys, as she called us, and the rest of the family. She never really warmed up to Connecticut though, neither literally nor figuratively. She told the other residents at her community that she’s a New Yorker, and she frequently described to the staff that she came from Florida, especially while coaxing them to raise the heat!
Well Mom, you’re back in the Florida heat now and together with Dad. We love you; we will miss you and we wish you eternal rest with God in heaven. Keep in touch, huh!