Vera M Schifferdecker

Vera M. Schifferdecker (nee Mills), 94, of Roscoe, IL, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, 28 March, 2024 in Loves Park, IL. She was born on 30 January, 1930 in Salford, England, to the late Elsie (Chadd) and David Mills. Vera met the true love of her life, Fabian Paschal Schifferdecker, when she was visiting her sister, Margaret, here in “the States”. She went back to England to wait the appropriate time to secure a Visa to return, and all the while they exchanged love letters. They were married on 13 January, 1962.

When Vera was young back in England, she used to teach Sunday school and was a switchboard operator for Billy Graham’s Crusade. She loved the Lord and being Christian was always a very important part of her entire life. She loved the outdoors and used to hike along Striding Edge in the Lake District with her friends. When she came to America, she started a family. First and foremost, Vera was an Amazing Wife and a Mom Extraordinaire. She was always there for anyone who needed anything. She used to read to her daughters and help with their homework and was very nurturing. Vera liked to sew and made amazing clothes for herself and her daughters. She made family dinners every night and was a wonderful baker. Vera was a Brownie Leader and a Girl Scout Leader. She was a gardener and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Camping trips with the family were summer highlights. She was also an avid Bulls fan and never missed a game with her MJ. Vera proudly became an American citizen, but loved to travel to her home country to visit relatives with Fabe. She and her sister always kept up with the Royal Family by mailing newspaper/magazine clippings to each other. In the later years, Vera and Fabe used to travel to New England and Door County. She also used to play cards and dice with “the girls” who were her good friends in her neighborhood. Vera loved animals and welcomed dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits into the family. When she lost her soul mate, she was devastated, but her furry family members were very important to her and were loving companions who played a large role in helping get her through very sad times. Vera was always positive, smiling, and happy even when she was a little down. Stiff upper lip, you see. It’s the British way. But her heart overflowed with love, warmth, and caring and anyone who met her felt special.

Vera is loved and will be deeply missed by her cherished daughters, Karen (Jim Knoll) Schifferdecker, Susan Schifferdecker, and Linda Schifferdecker, many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends, and her three adored cats, Helios, Lana, and Persia. She also had a granddaughter and two great granddaughters. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and David; treasured husband, Fabian; brother, William Mills; and sister, Margaret Ducci.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Survivors for Strays (www.survivorsforstrays.org) or Northern Illinois Hospice (www.northernillinoishospice.org).

A memorial visitation for Vera will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.