You're invited to use this site to offer your tributes, share photos and stories of our beloved Joanie.
For offerings in memory of Joanie, please consider a donation to the "Joan Schneider Memorial Fund." Donations can be sent with a check made out to:
WAHS Fine Arts Boosters
Attn: Alison Hoffmann
2552 Rt. 6, Hawley, PA 18428
A Celebration of Joanie’s Life Was Hosted on March 24th
Wallenpaupak Area High School Auditorium
The service included a memorial blessing as well as special tributes and performances from former students, colleagues and friends
Tributes
Leave a tributehttp://share.yesvideo.com/s/aUiLr9PbuQiB2kZg
Ms. Schneider's last words to me were these:
"Oh my god,what great memories ,I would do it all again with you guys.BEST OF TIMES!"
She couldn't be more correct. The memories of being on her stage in various productions (The Miracle Worker, Peter Pan, Annie, Harvey, Romeo and Juliet and more) are truly some of the very best memories that I have of my life. The phrase "glory days" makes me think of that time and that stage. Joan meant so much to me as a teacher, a director, a woman, and a friend. She saw so much in so many people, including me. That experience was truly formative and the lessons and confidence from that time have been carried throughout my life. The proudest I ever saw my Grandpa was after the Miracle Worker (I was Annie Sullivan). I still sing Little Girls and Easy Street (I was Miss Hannigan) at the top of my lungs more often than perhaps I should. My most epic teenage tantrum happened when I did NOT get the role of Juliet. I'm still best of friends with Lisa Zettwoch, who got that part. I was Lady (F) Capulet - I inserted the F myself ;). I probably learned more from that experience than from the "bigger" roles that I played.
I wish I could attend this memorial next weekend. I absolutely would if my own son Finn were not taking the stage for the first time in his first middle school production. I'm thrilled that one of my kids has an interest in theater, as I know so well the benefits that will be with him throughout his lifetime. I can only hope that he finds a director along the way with a quarter of Joan's incredible ability. Every one of us that took the stage under her direction is one of her kids and the generations that follow will benefit from her lessons, her enthusiasm, and her awesomeness. I love you, Ms. Schneider and will miss you. -Tracy Finney, class of '87
In closing, I would like to apologize for my absence from memorial service. Previous plans have me out of the country with a family event.”
Some of the most outrageous and hysterical scenes of my life were shared with Joan. I have very vivid memories to fall back on.
Leave a Tribute
As we get older and more mature and experienced in life and in all of its lessons, we at times reflect back to the formative high school years and to our friends and teachers who had such an impact on our lives. Perhaps we didn't realize it at the time, but looking at where we are today could somehow be traced back to those special people who knew exactly what they were doing. Enter Joan Schneider, stage right; smart, thoughtful, perceptive, creative, impactful. Great laugh. Piercing eyes. Many layers. Intimidating. Open. Honest. Gracious. I was fortunate to spend time with her as a student in her classroom and a student on her stage. After high school, she, Gary Brzuchalski and I created a performing group named Aurora Productions. I got to know "Joanie" as a friend and a woman, and still a student, but now of life. I remember how uncomfortable I felt when she said I could call her Joanie instead of Ms. Schneider. She respected us all as equals and saw things in us we had not yet discovered in ourselves. I have so many memories of our times together which I will cherish and reminisce with tears and laughter, and I know I am not alone in this. All who have met Joanie and who have been a recipient of all that is Joanie know exactly about what I'm saying. Thank you Joan Schneider. Thank you for being my friend, my cheerleader, my motivator, my means to my therapy sessions on stage. I, Wallenpaupack High and the community will forever be indebted to you for influencing the lives of so many of us and for creating such outstanding productions on stage and of people. You will be deeply and sadly missed and will continue to live on in all of us. Brava to an unprecedented performance! Heaven, look out! Joanie is in the house! We will all anxiously await the angels' revival of Jesus Christ Superstar! Only the best director for all that is holy!
You're the Best
Ms. Schneider always told me I was the best (probably one of the thousands she had said that to). She just knew how to make a student feel good. By her saying that, I grew to love going to theatre class (so much so that I had run out of classes to take with her, so my senior year, I repeated a class I already took). I had so much respect for her. She was very real when she spoke to a class or to you privately. I remember the year the school did Wizard of Oz, MS. Schneider asked some of us football players to be in the play, which I think all of us were happy to help out. I remember opening up the program they hand out and looking at the area where people were recognized for their monetary donations and sure enough there was a donation with the words Joey Andersen, you're the best (not sure of the exact wording in the program). It was anonymous, but I knew it had to be from her. There were so many times I wanted to stop at her house on my way to work ( I'm now a teacher at Wallenpaupack, Ms. Schneider being a big inspiration) but wasn't sure if she would remember me. I regret that now but just want to thank Ms. Schneider for everything. You were the best.
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MISTER ROBERTS
One never liked to disappoint Joanie. During rehearsals for "Mister Roberts", Joanie said to me "I'd love to have a real goat". (This was for the scene when the drunk sailors come back on board after liberty). I made a call, and borrowed "Georgie", who lived with my family for the weekend of performances. He was quite a hit!
However, goats also poop pellets, pretty much constantly; many of the cast took turns following him around with paper bags during his off-stage moments.