Obituary of L. Colleen Schroder

L. Colleen Schroder, 61, got to experience the joys of looking into the eyes of Jesus and being engulfed in hugs from her husband, grandchildren, parents and other loved ones that have been awaiting her arrival in Heaven. Early on December 3, 2017, she departed from her physical body in the community of On Top of the World in Ocala, FL where she had enjoyed the past few years of her life soaking up the sunshine.

Born January 10, 1956 to Norman and Mary Ella Faust, she spent her childhood years in Chautauqua County making memories with her four siblings, friends Laura Vario, Kim Cusimano, Cindy Cordosi and countless others that she was blessed to know. Colleen's childhood involved making forts in the woods, swimming in the family pond and any outdoor activity possible. At an early age, she developed amazing artistic skills and a consuming love for horses. She expressed this love while racing and riding them, during adventures in Darts field and while going to Harmony Riders horse shows with her sister Debbie.

Colleen pursued knowledge relentlessly throughout her life. She was a 1974 graduate of Southwestern Central High School, where she majored in Arts and Business and during which time she was an office clerk at Bausch and Lomb. After graduating, she joined the Chautauqua Movement and painted murals while traveling with them.

As the 70s came to an end, Colleen transitioned into being a wife and mother. On April 3, 1976 she married Thomas Schroder Jr at her parent's home on Hunt Road. Then the barefooted bride became a mother in 1977. As a full time home maker, she helped raise 3 delightful and well behaved daughters while selling crafts, working as a church janitor with her husband and being a self-employed aerobics instructor.

During the 80s, her growing family settled into the Bemus Point area and she became involved with the Bemus Point PTA as a Publicity Chairman. Colleen's artistic touch was often showcased at craft shows, where she brought cow dolls, cabbage patch kids and all sorts of creations.

As the 90s came into play, Colleen enjoyed working as a Habilitation Skills Technician at The Resource Center and spent many years getting to know the residents and staff at the homes on Fourth Street, Randall, Englewood and Benedict. While working at The Resource Center, she attended Jamestown Community College, where she became a member of the Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappar. In 1997, she graduated with honors and achieved an Associate's degree in Science and Individual Studies. After joining the Psychology Club, she achieved her next goal at SUNY Fredonia in 2000 and received a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology.

As the 2000s unfolded, Colleen became certified in Basic Sign Language, worked as a Psychiatric Technician at Warren General Hospital, interned at WCA Hospital Chemical Dependency Unit and also at Family Services. She later became a Mental Health Counselor at WCA Hospital and joined the American Counseling Association.

Colleen is remembered as being polite, respectful and generous with her time. Her kind and gentle spirit made her easy to talk to and good company to keep. She had an empathetic nature that manifested itself through her soft spot for animals. Colleen actively participated in the Pig Placement Network, volunteered at the Chautauqua County Humane Society and also advocated for animal rights and foster animals. Colleen loved various pets dearly throughout her life but was especially fond of Punky and Tater. More recently she had begun dog sitting and enjoyed walks at the dog park in Florida.

Fluvanna Community Church played a vital role in Colleen's life and she cherished her friendship with Margaret Blakeslee, conversations with Rev. Dayle Keefer and the making of countless good memories with others at the Youth Center, ice cream socials and during various acts of service. She enjoyed being involved with VBS, Christian Youth Club, Hands of Love, The Prayer Ministry and also the Doll Ministry.

Other interests of Colleen's involved listening to oldies music, gardening, writing, exercise and yoga and healthy cooking classes, attending Vegetarian Society events, vegan topics, shopping, Lucille Ball, going to Bible studies, exploring thrift stores, The Beatles, discovering flea markets, outdoor activities, garage sales, trips to Allegany State Park, Presque Isle, Barcelona beach and of course swimming at Gail and Roger's pond.

Colleen's role in her daughter's lives is beyond words but cherished memories involve weeding gardens with Jill, in depth conversations and laughs with Casey, sharing a love of horses, shopping and puggies with April, Monopoly marathons and garage sales with Malahki, Grandma Puppies with Hunter, endless songs with Micah or being silly with Chloe.

Colleen is missed dearly by her surviving children: Jill Vincent of Falconer NY, Casey Schroder of Bemus Point NY and April (Frank) Suroviec of Erie PA. Surviving grandchildren are Malahki and Micah Schroder of Bemus Point NY, Hunter and Chloe Vincent of Falconer NY. Surviving siblings are David Faust of Rochester NY, Tim and Cathy Faust of Scottsdale AZ, Deb and Clint Carlson of Jamestown NY and Vicky Faust of Jamestown NY. She is also survived by a niece Megan (Beau) Trask of Russell PA, a nephew, Jonathan Faust of Scottsdale, AZ and the greatest niece she had, Adaline Trask.

The loved ones that preceded her in death and are helping her settle into eternal rest as the aches of this world fade are her husband Thomas Schroder Jr, grandsons Trevon Schroder, a beloved grandchild from Jill and James Vincent and Elijah Suroviec. Colleen was also preceded in death by her parents Mary Ella (Cable) and Norman Faust, grandparents Francis (Strong) and Leon Cable Sr. grandparents Oliver and Edna (Pierce) Faust, great twin nephews Samuel and Timothy Faust, and a tragic amount of cousins, uncles, aunts and other loved ones.

Services have been entrusted to Lind Funeral Home where condolences to the family may be left at www.lindfuneralhome.com. The Rev. Dayle Keefer, a longtime friend of the Schroder family, will officiate.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm and the funeral will take place on Monday at 11 am; both will be held at Lind Funeral Home in Jamestown, NY. Immediately following the funeral, there will be a gathering at Fluvanna Community Church and afterwards, a committal service will be held at Wrightsville Cemetery. Everyone is welcomed to attend.

In lieu of flowers, you could honor Colleen's memory by volunteering at your local Humane Society or by making financial contributions to the Chautauqua County Humane Society 2825 Strunk Rd Jamestown NY14701 or contributing financially to Fluvanna Community Church 3363 Fluvanna Ave Jamestown NY 14701.

We can impact the world the way that Colleen did by making time for each other, doing random acts of kindness and turning love into more than just a word.