Sr. M. Eileen Schneider, Osb

Sister Mary Eileen Schneider, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent for 67 years, died April 22, 2022. She was 88 years old. Katherine Ann was born in Jonesboro on July 23, 1933 to the late Lawrence and Eva Schneider. During her years at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, she often thought of becoming a Sister like so many of her teachers. She graduated Salutatorian of Holy Angels Academy class of 1951, and worked for four years as a secretary in St Bernards Medical Records department before entering Holy Angels Convent in 1955. After making First Vows in 1956, she began her 30-year teaching career. She made Perpetual Vows in 1960, and celebrated her 60-year Diamond Jubilee in 2016. Sister Eileen earned her BS in Education from Arkansas State University, and a certificate of Theology from St Norbert College. During her years as an educator, she taught at Catholic schools in Lake Arthur, Louisiana; Little Rock, Pocahontas, West Memphis and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

She served as Formation Directress, Subprioress, and Prioress of Holy Angels Convent, and Minister for Religious for the Diocese of Little Rock. Sister greatly enjoyed serving on various boards for St Bernards Healthcare over the years. She also volunteered many hours to the local Helping Neighbors Food Pantry, for which she was given a Governor’s Excellence Award for Volunteerism in 2015. During her retirement, Sister Eileen supported the community with her prayers and shared her happy memories of teaching and Religious Life. She had a great love of prayer, reading, music, nature, and corresponding with friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sr Beatrice Schneider; brother-in-law, Scott Burnside; and sister-in-law, Teresa Schneider.

She is survived by her Sisters in community; siblings, Mary (Ray) Ritter, Lawrence Schneider, Jo Schneider, Paul Schneider, Virginia (Martin) Roy, Terri Burnside, Al (Judy Hoelzeman) Schneider, Herman Schneider, and Ruth(Leroy) Giddens; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be at Holy Angels Convent on Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., with the Rosary and Night Prayer at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel, and interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 CR 766, Jonesboro, AR, 72405

To register online, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com