Dana J. Schuster

Dana Svigel Schuster. She left us too soon. We lost the best mother, sister and friend on December 19. Dana was so unique. She had a photographic mind, and was a brilliant intellect, a trait that she always hid. She was barely 20 when she graduated from college with her first degree in Sociology from Louisiana Tech. When she applied for grad school to earn her MSW in Baltimore, her score was so high she was questioned and had to take the test again. Few knew this but she was one of only three out of over 200 who passed the Jeopardy contestant test in New Orleans. She was born in the Chicago area to Fred and Dolores Johnson Svigel, which made her a lifelong Cubs fan, but when she moved to the Slidell area she became fanatic about two things – the Saints and her son Andrew. Her love and adoration for Andrew was totally reciprocated and he spent the last five months in total devotion to her well-being. Dana spent much of her life in defense of children in the Baltimore area. Barely the height of those she was protecting, she was fearless in fighting for them. After her beloved Andrew entered her life she took a hiatus from work to care for him with all her heart, but she later found a new career in real estate which she loved, and where she made lifelong friends. She leaves behind many who miss her so much including her beloved son Andrew and his fiancée Kacey Childress; sisters LeAnne Weill (Baton Rouge), and Janine Lotz (Memphis), and her daughter Jessica; former husband Holger Schuster of Baltimore; and a very special brother-in-law Ron Scott of Memphis. A celebration of her life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell on the 7th of January at 1 p.m., with visitation at noon. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the LA SPCA, the American Lung Association, Christ Episcopal Church of Slidell, or St. Jude’s Hospital. That would mean more to Dana than flowers. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.