Sr. Marlene Ann Schemmel, C.S.J.
Sr. Marlene Ann Schemmel, faithful member of the Congegration of St. Joseph for 67 years, age 84, of LaGrange Park. Beloved daughter of the late Herbert J. and late Helen (nee Kelly) Schemmel. Loving sister of the late Barbara (Jack Van Natta) Schemmel, June (Roger Laven) Schemmel, and Shirley (Richard Rothwell) Schemmel. Devoted aunt of Sarah, Annie, Peter, Daniel and the late Matthew Laven; David, Mark, Kathy, Kevin, Laura, Mary, Karen, Beth Ann and the late Paul Van Natta; Erika and Thomas Rotawell; as well as all their beloved spouses. Dear great-aunt of 38. Cherished great-great-aunt of 9.
Longtime elementary school teacher at St. Margaret Mary, St. John Fisher, St. Cletus, St. Anthony, St. Hugh, St. Joseph Military Academy and St. Paul High School Faculty. She served as principal at St. Hugh; director at Alexine Learning Center at Bethlehem Center, L.G.P.; pastoral associate and outreach director at St. Thomas the Apostle in Naperville; director of The Well Spiritualty Center; and longtime member of the LaGrange Ministerium.
Sr. Marlene received her Bachelor of Arts from DePaul, Masters in Education & Administration from Loyola University, and Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola, IPS.
Family and friends are invited to meet for visitation from 3 to 8pm on Friday, June 10th at the Alexian Chapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1515 W. Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, where a funeral service will be held at 10am on Saturday, June 11th. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony Hope and Healing, Chicago or to the Congregation of St. Joseph. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.
Sr. Marlene, may God hold you in the palms of his hands. Your laugh will always remain in my memory. You always wanted to hear the latest updates in my life & the lives of my family through the yearly Christmas letter. Say hi to mom for me. Love, David
I loved working with Marlene when we were both on the staff of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. I’m grateful that she said “Yes” when I asked her to go with me to Haiti to meet women there who were trying to support their families by forming cooperatives. While we were there, we met the woman who started the Haiti Parish Twinning Project. We realized the mutual benefit that would result from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish twinning with a parish in Haiti. We went through all the channels – talking with the pastor, staff & pastoral council – to get it approved. Marlene was the guiding light in getting this new ministry off the ground. I was inspired by Marlene’s love of the Haitian people & her untiring commitment to respond to their needs.
I was lucky enough to get introduced to Sr. Marlene and Sr. Pat several years ago through their volunteer work with Harmony, Hope & Healing. I, and countless others, are far better off having been graced by Sr. Marlene’s spirit, selflessness, and wisdom. I’m going to miss our car rides and lunches but rest assured Sister, I was paying attention to how you fought tirelessly for those less fortunate. Thanks for showing us the way. Rest easy and God Bless you and all the wonderful sisters from the Congregation of Saint Joseph.
Sr. Marlene was a remarkable woman, a true warrior for love and justice, and an asset to every organization with which she engaged. Many of us first encountered her through ARISE’s minimum wage campaign, events hosted by the Ministerium such as MLK brunch, or her involvement with Moms Demand Action. She truly was a beacon of hope and a role model for less experienced activists. She will be missed.
Lucky to have known her and her love of the environment, as well as of family and friends.
A now missing link in the Ministerium chain of collaboration.
I knew Sr.Marlene for only five years, as part of the LaGrange Ministerium, but even in that short time, I recognized her dedication to service, her kindness, and her warmth. She will be greatly missed.
Sr Marlene you will be missed! T and M
Sr. Marlene was a living saint. She challenged and encouraged those she encountered with a smile and often a little giggle. God welcomed her with open arms, and I know God said “Well DONE GOOD and FAITHFUL SERVANT”
(Aunt)Sr. Marlene was the sweetest, caring and a very wise Aunt. I will remember her many visits with Sr. Dorothy coming in a sports car She came to Baltimore when I received my first communion. And I still wear the cross necklace she gave me. We had our love of animals. She loved her cats. We had many talks about my son Sam and husband Marc. I even gave her a haircut. She loved her sports. I still remember her dancing with a construction hat to the YMCA. I will miss her. And have fun dancing and playing cards with Mom, Paul and Sr. Dorothy. Heaven surely gained a angel having you! Love you so much, Mary, Marc and Sam
I was blessed to know Sr. Marlene for a very short time, this past Winter/Spring. God’s peace to her family, and to the Community of St. Joseph.
I have been blessed to have Sr. Marlene walk into my life when I joined the staff of St. Thomas as a Parish Nurse. Sr. Marlene was a wonderful mentor and friend. I still hear her voice and one of her favorite phrases, “Good on Ya!”
Well Sr. Marlene, I am sure the angels have you wrapped up in God’s love and I will look for your guidance still as I traverse this path until we meet again!
Aunt Marlene was hands down the coolest nun. She enjoyed playing card games, conversation, and was involved in every activity. She loved engaging with my kids filling her mouth with lots of double bubble to win the biggest bubble contest! She and Sr Dorothy came to visit and many times had Thanksgiving at our house. There was always laughter! She danced at weddings and cheered at ballgames. Her service to God and the underprivileged was amazing. Heaven received another angel. Mom, Paul, and Mike will be welcoming you! Love you sweet Aunt Marlene.
I loved you, Sister Marlene. I’ll never forget the things you talked me into doing for your incredible outreach activities. Such beautiful memories. You left a powerful impact on St. Thomas that will last forever. Give my Bob a hug for me.
After a TV service call at the Schemmel residence, one of the 4 sisters became a big part of my life. As I wooed and married Barbara, another sister became a nun-Sister Marlene. She became a welcome part of the family spending many miles driving a car to attend weddings, graduations and anniversaries.
I’ll miss our many phone calls from “Sis” looking for the latest information on the family.
May you join my beloved Barbara and keep a place for the rest of us.
Love, Jack Van Natta
Marlene Schemmel was a gift to me and to all who she met throughout her life. She was a true example of gentleness, lover of justice and one who knew how to have fun.
Sr. Marlene was an outstanding minister, mentor and friend. It was an honor and a joy to serve with her on the La Grange Ministerium and through a number of outreaches at St. Francis Xavier Parish. Her presence, wisdom, faith and love gave witness to Christ in our midst, and her work in education and social justice initiatives impacted countless lives. Sr. Marlene, thank you! Be forever at Peace in God’s Loving embrace.
Marlene not only knew the word
Mission she brought it to life. She saw a need, reached out to others and made things happen.
Great woman!!
We were saddened to hear that Sister Marlene passed away. We will remember her for her kind, compassionate, and loving heart. She was a true “sister” to our dear sister, Sister Mary Flaherty, with whom she is now reunited. She worked tirelessly to make life better for so many people. She took special interest in those she knew, and all enjoyed her lovable sense of humor.
Our sincerest sympathy goes out to her immediate family, her Sisters of St. Joseph family, and her many friends.
I remember Aunt Marlene braiding my hair for me when I was a little girl and we drove to Chicago . Years later I remember her dancing with my toddler son Liam at my brother’s wedding. Our meetings were few and far between but she always took a real interest in what was happening in my life. When we exchanged cards at Christmas or the occasional email I marvelled at the scope of her work and activities.
Sister Marlene(Damian) was my sixth grade teacher at Saint Joseph MiIitary Academy She certainly was an active person.. I will remember her in my daily prayers.
Brother Tom Glaser P.H.D. O.S.F.
I am Marlene’s second cousin in Rochester, NY. I just learned today that Marlene passed away. When I did not hear back from her at Christmas and did not get a reply when I sent a birthday message, I asked the SSJs here in Rochester where some knew of Marlene, I got the message this morning that she had passed. Fly with the Angels, Marlene. Now you and Ginny (Sister Rita Marie Habecker) are one in spirit, whom you wrote to for many years.
When Sister Marlene was outreach director at St. Thomas the Apostle I met her while I was struggling with mental illness and homelessness. She treated me with the love of God that was extraordinary. She was just a stunning example for Christ. I am, and will always be grateful and thankful Sister. May God bless Sister Marlene, her family, and the Congregation of St. Joseph.
Sr. Marlene was a gifted school administrator whose vision for education was well head of its time. Sr. Marlene’s passion for justice permeated Alexine Learning Center where I was a student. While she expected order from her students she was the first to jump in and play touch football, jump rope and engage with her students. She was just “COOL”. I am blessed to have had her as a principal.
I can’t wait to see you again, sweet dreams Aunt Marlene.
It has been a while. Sorry for the late response. I just received the news. May you rejoice in everlasting life. Please say hi to Sister Ann. I remember my time as a child at ST. Thomas, and how you taught me the importance of helping those less fortunate even though my family and I were living on the streets. You treated us like we mattered, and that their is love in sacrifice. You are a guiding light, and you changed my life.
Today, I am so very blessed, I have a family married for 13 years and 3 beautiful boys, and I am about to retire from 20 years in the Army. When I talk about my early childhood to them, I always talk about you and Sister Ann and St Thomas and how angels guided me through hard times. Even though I was homeless, I was still fortunate to know love.Thank you, and God bless you! I will miss you.