Obituary of Elizabeth Schiels

Elizabeth (Betty) McCarthy Schiels, was born September 14,1925 in Brooklyn, New York. She died a peaceful death at age 94 on February 23, 2020.  She was predeceased by her husband Robert Schiels and is survived by her two children, Barbara Gallo and John Schiels, three granddaughters Jennifer Gaites, Sarah Murphy, and Erin Schiels, and six great grandchildren Abigail, Matthew and Robert Gaites and Madeleine, George, and Stella Murphy. 

Betty grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and when she married in 1948 moved to Great Kills, Staten Island, where she was an active member of the St. Helena’s Guild of Saint Patrick’s Church in Richmondtown.  Betty was a secretary at Monsignor Farrell High School before she became administrative assistant to three successive presidents of Richmond College, part of the City University of New York and now known as The College of Staten Island. 

Betty and her husband Bob enjoyed many happy years at their second home on Lake Wallenpaupack, Pennsylvania.  In 1985 Bob and Betty moved to Manchester, New Jersey and in their retirement enjoyed golfing and traveling.  Betty was also active with the bowling league and she played bridge.  In her later years, she was a resident at Brandywine Assisted Living in Shrewsbury where she enjoyed her weekly poker games.

Betty was an accomplished seamstress who used her talent to make her daughter’s wedding gown as well as a family christening outfit and a communion dress.  She enjoyed reading, taking walks, baking, quilting, being with her family, collecting duck memorabilia, and cutting out interesting newspaper articles to send to family members. 

She was a special lady and will be missed by all.

Viewing will be from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at Holmdel Funeral Home on Monday, March 2, 2020, followed by a Mass at Saint Catherine’s Church, 108 Middletown Road,Holmdel, at 10:30 a.m. Internment will be at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Checks made out to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation can be mailed to P.O.Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352. Please remember to write in memory of Elizabeth Schiels on the memo line of the check. Gifts may also be made online at chop.edu/giving.