Beverly Ann Schneider

Beverly Ann Schneider, 83, longtime resident of Middletown, RI, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026 surrounded by her loving family at Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pascoag, RI after a long battle with vascular dementia.

Born in Newport and raised in MIddletown, RI, she was the only child of William Eugene O'Brien and Julia Katherine "Kay" (Leedham) O'Brien. She was a graduate of St. Catherine's Academy, and later graduated from St. Anne's School of Nursing in Fall River, Mass.

Beverly began her nursing career at Newport Hospital, working on a medical surgical floor before moving to Boston where she worked at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Emergency Room for a few years. She then moved back to Middletown and, over the course of her career, worked in a variety of nursing settings, including emergency and trauma care, medical-surgical units, home care, and-prior to her retirement- psychiatric inpatient care at Newport Hospital.

Beverly was an exceptional nurse, known for her ability to remain calm in emergencies, her meticulous documentation and unwavering dedication to her patients. She was admired for her positive, upbeat personality and warm, non-judgmental, compassionate nature. She had a remarkable ability to connect with others and was passionate about motivating and empowering her patients.

Beverly had many talents. She was a skilled seamstress and fondly recalls sewing all her own maternity clothes. She was also known for staying up into the early morning hours creating halloween costumes, formal attire and other attire for her children. She loved to crochet and frequently gifted her beautiful afghans to loved ones. Beverly was also proficient in knitting and quilting.

Music played a central role in her life. Like her father, she loved to sing, especially Irish songs and proudly recalled singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on the radio at age 16. A classically trained pianist, she had a gift for improvisation and enjoyed serenading family and friends. A strong believer in the therapeutic power of music, at one time she considered returning to school to become a music therapist. While she did not pursue this professionally, she incorporated music into her nursing practice by leading sing-alongs with her patients on the psychiatric unit.

Bev was joyful and spirited, cherishing time spent with loved ones, especially when it included dining out, listening to music, or dancing. She loved gardening and took great pride in growing vegetables and flowers. She also appreciated quiet moments on her deck, watching sunsets over Narragansett Bay.

An avid traveller, Beverly was fortunate to visit many destinations throughout her life. She especially enjoyed vacationing in Aruba with her husband Jean and their children. After her husband's passing, she devoted time to reconnecting with friends and classmates, organizing several nursing school reunions and maintaining those cherished relationships throughout her life. For a short time, she was a member of the Red Hats Society.

In recent years she developed a passion for painting. She especially enjoyed watching Bob Ross reruns on TV and would spend hours studying his techniques before trying to recreate his work.

She was a long time communicant of St. Lucy's Church in Middletown and member of the Newport Athletic Club where her participation in water aerobics led to many lasting friendships. In 2021, she moved in with her daughter, Cathy where she periodically attended Mass at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Foster, Rhode Island.

Bev met the love of her life, Jean Paul Schneider in 1967. They shared 38 wonderful years of marriage, and she was a devoted caregiver to him in his final years before his passing in 2006.

She is survived by her 3 children; Frederick William Schneider and his wife Itha of MIddle VIllage New York; Catherine Ann Schneider and her husband Rod of Foster, Rhode Island, and Robert Thomas Schneider and his wife Carla of Hoboken, New Jersey. She also leaves her devoted grandson, Tyler, with whom she shared a very special bond, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at Memorial Funeral Home, 212 Broadway, Newport, on Sunday, May 10, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Lucy's Church, West Main Road, MIddletown, on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Columba's cemetery, in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beverly's memory to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Special Olympics or the Dementia Society of America.