PATRICIA SCHNYDER
December 8, 1944 - October 14, 2025
It is with great love and deep sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Patricia (Reid) Schnyder, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and
friend, on October 14, 2025.
Born on December 8, 1944 in St. Louis, Patricia lived a happy and full life marked by love, laughter, and kindness. She shared a beautiful 60-year marriage with her devoted husband, Bill, and together they built a life filled with love, joy, fun, family, friends, and unwavering companionship.
Pat graduated from St. Teresa Academy in 1962 and married the love of her life, Bill Schnyder, in 1964. They moved to Yorktown, VA. where Bill was stationed with the U.S. Navy. She worked at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation until they moved back to the St. Louis area in 1966. In 1968 she embraced her favorite new role as “mom”. A proud and loving mother to Chris and then Jami, she was the heart of her family. She loved being a mom and was the definition of love, patience, encouragement, warmth, and positivity. She made sure that her kids had happy childhood memories of magical Christmases and homemade Halloween costumes.
She was very involved in their school activities and community.
In 1981 she began a 38 year career working for the Missionary Oblates in Belleville, IL, serving as the secretary to the director of the Missionary Association. She loved working there and her co-workers became her second family. Family meant everything to Pat, and she selflessly cared for her mother and aunts in their later years. She was beyond excited to become a grandmother to Jackson, Ally, and Evan and later to three bonus grandchildren, Alyssa, Matthew and Ella. She filled their time together with fun, love, and special memories.
Pat had many devoted friends and enjoyed planning and participating in social events including reunions, neighborhood get-togethers and many “happy hours” on the deck of the dream home she and Bill built in Millstadt, IL in the year 2000. Known for her positive outlook and her gift for making everyone feel special, Pat filled her home with laughter, good food, and warmth. She had a wonderful sense of humor, an open heart, and a remarkable ability to make others feel special and loved. She will be remembered for her compassion, loyalty, and the joy she brought to all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the love she gave so freely and the countless lives she touched.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents John and Loretta (Brengard) Reid, her sister Marianne (Reid) Saunders, brothers-in-law Don Saunders, David Schnyder, Tony Venezia, Neil Harris, and Gerald Johnson, sisters-in law Kay Harris, Laurie Schnyder and Nancy (Schnyder) Johnson, nephew Brad Saunders, and her beloved aunts and uncles.
Pat is survived by her husband, Bill Schnyder, her children Chris Schnyder, Jami (Schnyder) Derro (Mike Derro), her beloved grandchildren, Jackson and Ally Finch, and Evan Schnyder, step-grandchildren Alyssa (P.J.) Morici, Matthew Derro, and Ella Derro, her sister Joan (Reid) Venezia, and her beloved cousins, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
All who knew Pat and her family are welcome to attend the funeral mass followed by a Celebration of Life gathering:
Funeral Mass: Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11am
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church
5923 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62223
Celebration of Life Gathering (following the service)
Tavern on Main
301 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62220
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Pat’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association ( https://www.alz.org ).
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Dearest Bill, This sad news is breaking our hearts! Pat was without a doubt the sweetest, loveliest, funniest person we had the honor to say was OUR FRIEND!!! Many Warm hugs to all of your family❤️. Lisa and Rick
Bill and Family so sorry for your loss Pat and I became best friends from the first time we met at STA Orientation. We had so many good times together Shared many laughs and even shared some tears together She was always so kind and respectful of others I will always miss her and remember all the times we shared together so many special memories RIP PAT🥰💔
We had the pleasure of meeting Pat and Bill when they lived in Millstadt. Pat always had a smile on her face and was always so warm and welcoming to everyone. We have great memories of parties at their house and what fun we had in our Bunco group. Sending prayers to Bill and family. Pat truly was a sweetheart.