Nora M. Schoonover

Nora was born June 24th, 1943, in Ellenville, NY, to Byron G. and Nora M. Lowe. They lived on a farm at the base of the Catskill mountains. Nora was the baby child of 6. She is preceded in death by her siblings; Grant (Dottie) Lowe, Eva (Elwood) Rode, Ethel (Hollis) Beach, Leonard (Joan) Lowe, and Dee (Rich) Exner.

Nora graduated from Ellenville High School in 1963 and was working as a Candy Striper at Ellenville Community Hospital when her neighbor Bill brought home a buddy on leave from the Navy. It was love at first sight.

Paul and Nora married August 2nd, 1964. They moved to Cleveland and Paul went to work at Republic Steel. Nora would say she had never seen so many people and cars. She was so happy when Paul Jr. came along a year and 2 days later. Keith joined the family in 1968 and the Schoonovers had settled in. Nora welcomed every friend her boys made. With church, football, softball and scouts, there were A LOT of boys. Mrs. Schoonover’s house was the first stop for first aid and iced tea after games, outings, and occasional rumbles. Nora was a neighborhood mom and confidant to many.

Over the years, Nora was active in outreach and taking care of those in need. She had a special fondness for the elderly. Her years of service in their West-side neighborhood eventually led her in 1981 to serving as Director of the Elderly Nutrition Program held at Calvary Reformed Church. Nora and her best friend, Margaret, made it their mission to seek out and assist neighbors with fellowship, food, recreation, and assistance obtaining various aid programs. She wrangled all her boys into service as well. Many a night spent shoveling snow, salting driveways and sidewalks, or delivering a needed item by any or all of them.

In 2001 West Side Ecumenical Ministries (W.S.E.M.) took over service of the Elderly Nutrition Program. Nora finished out her career with WSEM. Paul Sr. and Nora retired together in 2009. Even though they were retired Nora still continued to help anyone in need in the neighborhood. She thoroughly enjoyed making her community a stronger and happier place.

All who knew the Schoonovers remember the all-night, all-weekend, card games, peppered with football and best of all mom’s cooking. An invitation to Sunday dinner was a treat. Her pot roast and gravy, mashed potatoes and corn, cooked carrots and rolls were a coveted meal.

Nora and Paul Sr. spent 4 precious years together focusing on each other and their grandchildren before Paul Sr. passed in 2013. After Paul Sr.’s passing Mama Schoonover made it her mission to live life for them both. She remained active in church, with her family, and especially with her grandchildren.

Nora is survived by her sons Paul (Lisa) of North Royalton, Keith (Corinne) of North Olmsted, sister-in-law Ruth (Jim) Schoonover of Marietta, grandchildren - Kathryn (Chris) Gordon of the UK, Rachel Schoonover of North Royalton, Ashley (Corwin) Sorley of Wickliffe, her great grandchildren; Alex Gordon of Lakewood, Avery Gordon of Strongsville, Mika Gordon of the UK, and Kristopher Mounts of North Royalton and many loving nieces, nephews, adopted neighborhood kids, and friends. We are all very thankful for the time we had with mom. We invite anyone to share memories and pictures at www.craciunberryfuneral.com. Zoom will also be available for out of town family ans]d friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, from 4pm – 8pm, with the service starting at 7pm, at Craciun Berry Funeral Home, 7200 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102.

Following the service, a fellowship meal will be held at the Corrigan Craciun Gathering Room at 14768 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44111.

The funeral service will be live stream through the following link:

https://meet.goto.com/914506069

or by phone

1 (872) 240-3212

Access Code:

914-506-069

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, 13815 Coit Rd., Cleveland 44110.