The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ – Summit resident, businesswoman and philanthropist, Lois Schneider, Founder and president of Lois Schneider Realtor, died on August 4, 2012, at her home in Summit, New Jersey, at age 80.

Lois moved to Summit in 1961 and founded Lois Schneider Realtor in 1976 after many successful years as an agent.  While Lois Schneider Realtor has become a market leader in Summit, Lois is perhaps best known for her philanthropy in the Summit community and beyond.  Lois Schneider Realtor has been a strong and vocal supporter of community organizations including  SAGE Eldercare, Overlook Medical Center, the Valerie Fund, the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, Good Grief, Bridges Outreach, Family Promise, and The Connection. The company has also been a major sponsor of significant community events including the Summit Junior Fortnightly Tot Trot, the Summit Luminary Project, and the Reeves Reed Arboretum's Holiday House Tour.

Lois has been recognized for her professional achievements and civic involvement. Among other honors, she was named NCJAR's "Realtor of the Year" twice.  On Oct. 27, 2006, to recognize her 30th anniversary in business, Mayor Jordan Glatt of Summit declared it "Lois Schneider Day" and in 2011, she received the Silver Service Award for Achievement in the Community from the Suburban Chamber of Commerce.

Summit Mayor Ellen Dickson told TheAlternativePress.com, "Lois Schneider’s generosity to charities in and around Summit was legendary. She lived by her lifelong motto, 'It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice'. She was an inspiration to women  everywhere and an asset to the community.  She will be sorely missed."

Lois’s daughter, Karen Schneider, a director in the company, will assume leadership of Lois Schneider Realtor.

In addition to her daughter, Karen Schneider, Mrs. Schneider is survived by Alan Schneider, her husband of 60 years; her siblings, Jerome Keough of Malvern, Pa.; Robert Keough Jr. of St. Maarten, W.I., and Rosemary Redmond Kerrebrock of Lincoln, Mass.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Laureen Schneider Lauber, predeceased her.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the William R. Dangler Funeral Home, 309 Springfield Ave. Summit, N.J. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 10:45 a.m. at St Teresa of Avila R.C. Church, Summit. Interment will follow at St Teresa's Cemetery, Summit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, 1341 Montgomery Ave., Rosemont, Pa. 19010, www.shcj.org/amer/index.html; The Valerie Fund, 2101 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, N.J., 07040, www.thevaleriefund.org., or the Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 234, Summit, N.J., 07902, www.summitems.org.

Read more about Lois and Lois Schneider Realtor here.