Sr. Edith Schneider, PHJC

Sister Edith Schneider, PHJC, formerly known as Sr. Lucian, passed away August 6, 2026 at Catherine’s Cottage, Donaldson, Indiana. Parents George and Catherine along with siblings Adolph, Mary, Rose, Philip, Alfred, Cathy, Josephine and Agnes welcomed Edith to the Schneider family on December 25, 1943. Later, her sister Clara joined the family. Sister Edith is survived by her two sisters and spouses: Josephine/Monroe White and Clara/Roger Locher along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Sr. Edith received a bachelor’s degree with a major in Latin and minor in German from Alverno College in Milwaukee. She served as teacher and housemother at St. John’s Children Home in Belleville, IL, and Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, IL. She also ministered as a teacher at St. Monica School, Mishawaka, IN.

In 1970, Sr. Edith spent the summer months working with the migrant workers in Plymouth, IN. The following summer, in 1971, she was invited to accompany Sr. Freida Shama to Guatemala for eight weeks. She said those eight weeks changed her life. She “knew that God was calling her to work in Latin America and would reveal the time and the place.” She spent six years in Latin America; four in LaPaz, Bolivia and two in Leon, Nicaragua in Pastoral Ministry.

In between her experiences in Bolivia and Nicaragua, she was Pastoral Minister at St. Augustine Parish in Chicago, IL. During this time, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies at the Hispanic Institute of Mundelein College in Chicago, IL. These studies prepared her for ministry in Coatzacoalcos and Queretaro, Mexico.

In 1988, Sr. Edith helped establish the PHJC Mission in Mexico. During her 26 years in Mexico, she was the Vocation Director for the PHJC Sisters while working in Parish Ministry. Her ministries took her to Coatzacoalcos, Mapachapa, San Ildafonso and Queretaro, Mexico. Fluent in Spanish, she also provided extensive translation support for PHJC international meetings, helping foster communication and collaboration across cultures.

In 2014, Sr. Edith became ill and needed to return to the United States. She was in the hospital for almost 3 months and had a near death experience. As she reflected on this time, she wondered “Am I a Miracle”?

After recuperating, Sr. Edith moved to Catherine’s Cottage and was active in Community Service for the Sisters. She continued to work with the Hispanic population in Plymouth as health and time allowed. She remained deeply engaged in issues of justice and care for creation, participating in rallies and protests, writing letters to Congress, and advocating for ecology, immigrant rights, and social programs for people who were poor or powerless. Reflecting on this commitment, she said, “I try to balance my involvement with so many needs of the world and the call to inner peace and contemplation.”

VISITATION, WAKE SERVICE, MASS OF RESURRECTION

ANCILLA DOMINI CHAPEL

Sunday, August 16, 2026

4:30 p.m. EDT – Welcoming Sister’s Body and Visitation

7:00 p.m. EDT – Wake Service

Monday, August 17, 2026

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. EDT - Visitation

10:30 a.m. EDT – Mass of Resurrection

The Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed at

poorhandmaids.org/live.

Memorial contributions may be made at www.poorhandmaids.org.