Harryette D Schirmer, 86, of Mt. Ephraim, NJ, born Thursday, August 19, 1937, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024 at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ.
Harryette worked as a Documentation Officer for the U.S. Coast Guard. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in East St. Louis, Holy Cross in Fairview Heights, St. George Episcopal Church in Belleville IL and Christ Church in Collingswood, NJ, AARP, NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) and she was a supporter of Humane Society including Belleville Humane Society, Josephs Indian School in Oklahoma and was a former member of Beta Sigma PHI Sorority.
She was a 1955 graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School and lived in Belleville area until October 1981 until she moved to Philadelphia area to work for the Coast Guard as a Senior Supervisory Documentation Officer, after her training at the St. Louis office. She worked for the government a total of 39 ½ years including U. S. Army in St. Louis, Federal Aviation Agency at Scott AFB and St. Louis Control Tower. She retired from the Coast Guard position in October of 1985 and remained in the Philadelphia area.
Harryette loved to travel and extensively in Europe (London was her favorite City), Italy, England, Germany, and Scandinavia. She also traveled in Russia, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and throughout the United States. Harryette enjoyed theater and attended many performances in Philadelphia and New York City.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Parents, Harry F. and Ethel, nee Wilson, Schirmer and sister, June Schirmer.
She is survived by:
- Cousins and dear friends, (some from first grade) who were her family.
- Special friends:
- Patricia Keown of Audubon, NJ,
- Rose Giranda of Philadelphia, PA,
- Judy Davis of Fairmont City, IL
- God children (considered them her “kids.”)
- Kathryn Hall of Lakeland, FL,
- Alyscia (Jim) Bigham of O’Fallon, IL,
- Dawn (Brian) Fairfield of Collinsville, IL,
- Craig (Virginia) Davis II of Georgetown, TX,
- Rebecca (Chris) Mamino of Fairmont City, IL
- Jennifer Tucci of Belleville, IL
- Godchild, Ashley Britton, Runnemede, NJ
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.
Funeral: Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10:00 am at Christ Church, 413 W. Evesham Ave., Magnolia, N. J. Private Interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Fairview Heights, IL.