Margaret Schommer (1920–2017)

June 21, 1920 Feb. 24, 2017 Margaret Schommer passed away peacefully, Feb. 24, 2017 at age 96. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Schommer. Margaret cherished her 35 years spent with her husband.

Margaret grew up in Yonkers, N.Y. She attended Yonkers #4 Public School and completed her high school education there. She spent a year in business college, and went to work at the Macy’s department store. Later she had an opportunity to go to work at Tishman Realty on Wall Street, and remained there for four years as a personal assistant to Mr. Healy, the owner. With no real future at Tishman, Margaret pursued other opportunities and found work with future potential at the Shell Oil Company, where she was working when she met her future husband, Andy.

Margaret belonged to The Catholic Young Women’s Club, which put on dances for U.S. service men before they shipped out overseas in the WWII effort. Andy and Margaret met at the first dance that she and her friend Peggy attended. When Andy deployed, they agreed to correspond while he was gone; they kept in touch for four years. Andy was discharged in New York and stayed for three weeks before he returned to Portland where he had established his building business. Andy and Margaret kept in touch, with both Margaret visiting Portland and Andy returning to New York where they were married June 7, 1947. Andy and Margaret returned to Portland where they made their home and raised their family. They had three sons, Stephen, Craig, and Robert. Margaret and Andy were devout Catholics and devoted their lives to the Catholic Church.

Throughout her life she became and remained an inspiration to all who met her with her zeal and enthusiasm for her Catholic life. Margaret was a caring and loving homemaker and mother to her three sons. Later she helped raise her nieces, Carol, Rene, and Leona. In addition to these family duties, Margaret was involved with Schommer and Sons from the time she married Andy Schommer in 1947 until just a few years ago. In the early days, she handled the office duties by herself, as the Schommer office was located in the basement of their home. In later years as the company expanded, she maintained an office at their Sandy Blvd. location and then at Colwood Way. Margaret was a trainer and mentor to the office ladies as the company grew. She was also a mother to the project managers, and a friend and confidant to the field personnel. She was very interested in the business until the day she passed, and was always asking questions when her sons visited her.

In 2001 Margaret moved to Summerplace and joined St. Therese Parish, where she remained an active member participating in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Guild. Margaret spent her “golden years” traveling, square dancing, enjoying her grandchildren, and later, her great-grandchildren. Margaret prided herself on her love of the lord and her strong Catholic faith. She was devoted to St. Therese, The Little Flower. Margaret was a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. She is survived by her three sons, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: son, Stephen and wife, Josefina (Titay); granddaughter, Theresa and husband, Khalid; great-grandchildren, Braylon and Aria; grandson, Paul, Anthony and wife Kara, Craig and wife, Kelly; granddaughters, Alexandra and Ingrid; Robert and wife, Leslie; grandson, Kyle; and granddaughter, Leigh. Remembrances may be made to: Discalced Carmelite Friars of Mt. Angel, Ore., or the Frank D. Masterson, S.J. Memorial Fund at Jesuit High School of Portland.