Lela Mae Schnorf

Lela Mae Schnorf, 111, our beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother passed peacefully to Heavenly rest on April 2, 2017 at the Lakes of Monclova with her loving family by her side. She has now joined her parents Amanda Wieland and H. Marshall O’Callaghan to whom she was born on November 29, 1905; her loving husband Brandon G. Schnorf, Sr. who died in 1977 and her youngest son, David M. Schnorf was passed away in 2006. Lela lived her entire life in Toledo, graduating from Waite High School in 1924. After graduation, she accepted a secretarial position at Auto Lite working for the executives Claude Pound and A. E. Buckenburg. When she learned of an opening at Collin, Norton, Miller and Young; a brokerage firm in downtown Toledo, she immediately applied and was accepted as executive secretary for Harry E. Collin, Managing Partner of the firm. During that time, the country went through the great Stock Market Crash of 1929 and Lela became aware of the financial destruction and ill effects of the Great Depression on personal lives, large corporations and small business owners. After spending five wonderful and rewarding years as Mr. Collins’s personal secretary, Lela left the firm. She left the firm to marry young attorney Brandon G. Schnorf. As many have said, “Once Brandon met the young, beautiful and intelligent Lela, he never stood a chance.” Lela and Brandon became the parents to two sons, Brandon G. Schnorf, Jr. and David M. Schnorf, who followed their father in the practice of law. For many years they practiced together in the firm of Schnorf, Schnorf and Schnorf. The World Wars had a big impact on Lela’s life. As a young girl, she knitted khaki vests for soldiers (Dough Boys) in World War 1. In World War 11, she sold war bonds and assisted with the Red Cross in Toledo. Due to her longevity, Lela witnessed many changes. Born in the “horse and buggy” era, she recalled the family’s first car - a Model T. Ford - Tin Lizzy. She was excited to watch the first time an airplane flew over Toledo, as well as the change from a five-party telephone line system to a private line. She delighted in horse-drawn deliveries for dairy products and vegetables and remembered the change from horse-drawn deliveries to motor vehicles. Gas lights, inside and out, were transformed to electric lights. She remembered crank-up cars on cobblestone streets, trolley cars run by electricity, victrollas, air conditioners and the first television sets. Scrub boards, metal tubs, hand operated wringers and outdoor clotheslines gave way to electric washing machines and dryers. Coal deliveries for furnaces were replaced by gas heat and postage stamps were two cents. Lela recalled prohibition with its crime and Mafia and later its repeal. She remembered the horror of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the impact it had on her country and her President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ahead of her time, she was a nonconformist and a very outspoken woman. She was an avid reader, always kept up with current events, whether it was local or national politics and voted in every election campaign up to and including the Presidential election in 2016. She kept herself informed about the financial markets, the real estate markets and all major sporting events. During the years that Lela and Brandon were married, they developed a shared interest in gardening, and playing bridge with their group of friends at the Inverness Country Club. Together they traveled abroad to Europe and entertained their wonderful friends at parties, especially enjoying the annual weekend Clambake Celebration. They were members of the Toledo Rose Society for many years. She remained a member of the Toledo Bar Association Auxiliary and was the oldest living member of the Inverness County Club, having joined in 1941. Important to Lela were the close friendships she developed with members of her personal “sorority” of which she was the last survivor. They not only gathered to share garden parties, traveling and playing bridge, but also supported each other in their joys and travails. To the end of her earthly life, Lela loved planning and hosting parties in her beautiful Old Orchard home. She would always delight her guests with one of her chic outfits from her lovely wardrobe, accessorized with just the right piece of jewelry. She took pleasure consulting with interior design experts when updating her home, whether it was a new wall hanging or a choice fabric for her treasured pieces of furniture. Lela took tremendous pride in her flower gardens, planting several hundred plants each Spring and each year adding something new to those plantings. Up until two years ago she managed the apartments from her childhood home, interviewing potential tenants, and interacting with her special group of workers which including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and painters. She loved political conversations and sharing a good laugh with one of her many friends and family members. Lela was known for her kindness, compassion and her sense of responsibility. She was a mentor to many young people, including several international students from the University of Toledo, who lived with her over the years. She enjoyed the opportunity to engage in spirited conversations with the students and mentoring them in the Toledo culture. On many occasions she would receive a call or visit from one of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren asking her advice on a major event in their lives. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary or special event. Lela was devoted to her family and cherished by them. She is survived by her loving son, Brandon G. (Roxie Ann) Schnorf, Jr. and six adoring grandchildren who were her pride and joy; Karen (Robert) Hemsoth of Sylvania, Craig A. Schnorf of Toledo, Carl (Danielle) Patrick of Louisville, Colorado, Laura (Joseph) Chandler of Atlanta, Georgia; Susan (Kenneth) Wineke of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Kimberly (Dennis) Isabell of Ottawa Hills. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren to whom she was lovingly know as Gigi; Bethany (Nathan) Ensey, Brian Hemsoth, J. Hunter (Kristy) Chandler, Brandon (Amy) Chandler, Molly Chandler, Justin (Kenzi) Wineke, Jessica and Tyler Wineke, David and Clare Isabell and Ava and Julia Patrick. Great-great grandchildren Nora Ensey and Emily Chandler. In addition Lela is survived by her former daughter-in-law Helen (John) Williams. Lela’s advice for a long life; keep moving forward intellectually, always remain positive and don’t carry hate in your heart. How does she want to be remembered? “As a loving and caring woman.” Those who knew her will remember her as “Amazing Lela.” And amazing she was and will always be. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or The American Heart Association. Visitation will be Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 1-6:00pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. where services will be held Monday, April 10th at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.