Babette Schnitzer

Babette Schnitzer died peacefully at the age of 92, surrounded by family at Hospicare on September 24, 2003.

The eldest of five daughters, she was born in a small farm village in southern Germany and at the age of 17 came to America settling in Brooklyn, NY. In 1938, she married Albert Schnitzer (who predeceased her in 1979) and they lived in the Enfield area for their married life. In 1981, she moved to Trumansburg, NY to live with her daughter and her family.

She is survived by a sister Kati and husband Hans Kraus of Heuchelheim, Germany; her children Joanne and her husband, Pete McManus of Thornton, PA; Fred and his wife, Gretchen Schnitzer of San Diego, CA; Martha and her husband, Tom Bell of Ithaca, NY; granddaughter Barbara Littlejohn and four great granddaughters of New Zealand, grandson Shelby Bell and his fiancé, Belinda Beavers of Omaha, NE as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces in America and Germany.

Babette worked at Rothschild's Department Store and the Cayuga Inn. She baked breads, canned fruits and vegetables, made some fabulous jellies and pies and always kept a few chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese along with a stray cat, squirrel or raccoon. Babette loved life, friends and laughing; and had the heart and passion of a nurse and tended to many of her neighbors in their last days.

If she could, she would love to thank her caregiver, Judy Lagstrom as well as the Hospicare nurses, volunteers, and doctors for their wonderful, attentive and tender care the last few months of her life.

The family would like to invite their friends to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Trumansburg on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 10:00 am with the Rev. Eugene O'Hara, OFM Cap. as celebrant. Prayers of Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

No public calling hours have been scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director