Susan Riemenschneider
1947-04-01 2002-03-12
Susan Riemenschneider
Miss Susan Riemenschneider, whose parents, the late Dr. Edwin A. and Mary Beth Tris tram Riemenschneider, were told to have her institutionalized because she was so severely handicapped when she was born on April 1, 1947, died at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday night. She was 54, and most recently made her home at the Chambrel Retirement Home in Montrose. She had taken ill about two weeks ago, eventually suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage which caused her death.
Diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome, Susan began her education at Our Lady of the Elms Catholic School, where she later worked as a teachers helper, and was graduated from Akron Buchtel High School. It was at Buchtel that her teacher, Marion Stroud, became a lifetime friend and mentor. Together the two collaborated on a book, ``Down Syndrome Pioneer, written in its entirety by Susan on lined paper, with the forward by Dr. Stroud. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book, which chronicled how a challenged person can over-come hurdles in life with determination and goal setting, went to the Center for Mental Retardation.
In addition to working at Our Lady of the Elms, Miss Riemen schneider also held employment at the Summit County Association for Retarded Citizens for a number of years and served as a trustee of the Cuyahoga Center for Mental Retardation.
Over the years, she lectured to student doctors at Northeast Ohio Universitys College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve Universitys College of Medicine, and Ohio State University College of Medicine. She was invited to address 400 clergy by Mrs. Eunice Shriver at a Kennedy foundation conference. She spoke to numerous other organizations, where she talked of her interest in music and reading the classics. She often discussed the Boston doctors advice to her parents:
``He took one look and said to put me in an institution. In 1947, this was the only thing they knew to say. When I think about that, I want to shake my fist in the doctors face if he would say anything like that.
``That's the reason I am writing my book by hand. I am still shaking my fist at that idea fifty years later, she told reporter Jewell Cardwell of the Akron Beacon Journal in an interview for an article that appeared April 24, 1998. The story related how, in later life, the roles of parent and daughter switched, as she eventually became the caregiver for her mother and father, who passed away in 1993 and 1999, respectively.
A devoted follower of Cleveland professional sports teams and all events at Baldwin-Wallace College, where her grandfather, Dr. Albert Riemenschneider, once served as president, Miss Riemenschneider was an experienced traveler, enjoying trips to California and her familys ancestral home in Eubach, Germany.
In a May 21, 1996, interview, she stated that her mission in life was to let people know what they can do to work with the special needs of people. As a member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Akron, she was able to complete this calling, volunteering for many years at the church's free-lunch program.
She is survived by two brothers, Dr. Thomas A. Riemenschneider along with his wife, Judy, of Chagrin Falls, and attorney John K. Riemenschneider and his wife, Nancy, of Akron, as well as four nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. March 16 at First United Methodist Church in Akron, with Rev. Lynn Snider officiating. Private burial is scheduled for Woodvale Cemetery in Berea, Ohio. The Dawson Funeral Home of East Liverpool, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements. Friends will be received at the church following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Mental Retardation of Cuyahoga County, c/o 1621 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115; the free-lunch program of the First United Methodist Church of Akron, c/o 263 Mill St.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Mar. 12, 2002.
Miss Susan Riemenschneider, whose parents, the late Dr. Edwin A. and Mary Beth Tris tram Riemenschneider, were told to have her institutionalized because she was so severely handicapped when she was born on April 1, 1947, died at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday night. She was 54, and most recently made her home at the Chambrel Retirement Home in Montrose. She had taken ill about two weeks ago, eventually suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage which caused her death.
Diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome, Susan began her education at Our Lady of the Elms Catholic School, where she later worked as a teachers helper, and was graduated from Akron Buchtel High School. It was at Buchtel that her teacher, Marion Stroud, became a lifetime friend and mentor. Together the two collaborated on a book, ``Down Syndrome Pioneer, written in its entirety by Susan on lined paper, with the forward by Dr. Stroud. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book, which chronicled how a challenged person can over-come hurdles in life with determination and goal setting, went to the Center for Mental Retardation.
In addition to working at Our Lady of the Elms, Miss Riemen schneider also held employment at the Summit County Association for Retarded Citizens for a number of years and served as a trustee of the Cuyahoga Center for Mental Retardation.
Over the years, she lectured to student doctors at Northeast Ohio Universitys College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve Universitys College of Medicine, and Ohio State University College of Medicine. She was invited to address 400 clergy by Mrs. Eunice Shriver at a Kennedy foundation conference. She spoke to numerous other organizations, where she talked of her interest in music and reading the classics. She often discussed the Boston doctors advice to her parents:
``He took one look and said to put me in an institution. In 1947, this was the only thing they knew to say. When I think about that, I want to shake my fist in the doctors face if he would say anything like that.
``That's the reason I am writing my book by hand. I am still shaking my fist at that idea fifty years later, she told reporter Jewell Cardwell of the Akron Beacon Journal in an interview for an article that appeared April 24, 1998. The story related how, in later life, the roles of parent and daughter switched, as she eventually became the caregiver for her mother and father, who passed away in 1993 and 1999, respectively.
A devoted follower of Cleveland professional sports teams and all events at Baldwin-Wallace College, where her grandfather, Dr. Albert Riemenschneider, once served as president, Miss Riemenschneider was an experienced traveler, enjoying trips to California and her familys ancestral home in Eubach, Germany.
In a May 21, 1996, interview, she stated that her mission in life was to let people know what they can do to work with the special needs of people. As a member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Akron, she was able to complete this calling, volunteering for many years at the church's free-lunch program.
She is survived by two brothers, Dr. Thomas A. Riemenschneider along with his wife, Judy, of Chagrin Falls, and attorney John K. Riemenschneider and his wife, Nancy, of Akron, as well as four nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. March 16 at First United Methodist Church in Akron, with Rev. Lynn Snider officiating. Private burial is scheduled for Woodvale Cemetery in Berea, Ohio. The Dawson Funeral Home of East Liverpool, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements. Friends will be received at the church following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Mental Retardation of Cuyahoga County, c/o 1621 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115; the free-lunch program of the First United Methodist Church of Akron, c/o 263 Mill St.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Mar. 12, 2002.