Obituary of Veronica Schlueter

Veronica Schlueter (née Bradley) passed away peacefully in her home of 46 years in West Berlin, New Jersey surrounded by her family. She leaves behind a legacy of courage, gratitude, independence, wit, and generosity. 

 

Vera grew up in Greenock, Scotland. She spoke of Scotland with incredible fondness and was always in constant awe of its beauty. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary Bradley. Her father owned a small store in Greenock called Robert and Son’s Watch Repair and Jewelry. She was one of 9 children coming of age in an era of war and uncertainty in Europe. She had countless stories to share from her youth and experience immigrating to the United States, and she charmed everyone she met with her penchant for storytelling. 

 

Vera sailed to the United States on the Queen Mary in 1956 at 19 years of age. She first tried to leave for the U.S. at only 17 but was told by the embassy to try again when she was a bit older. When she arrived in the States, she worked as a nanny for a family that treated her poorly. Eventually, she found a job working in a factory and began living in a boarding home with several other girls. She joked that she didn’t have two pennies to rub together during those years, but she was rich in friendship. 

 

Before long, she met her sweetheart, Walter Schlueter, and began the next chapter of her life building a family that still surrounds her with love today. She continued working throughout their marriage, serving proudly as her family’s breadwinner for several years. She retired from EMC Technology in 1995. Walter brought her a world of laughter and light and she never remarried after his untimely passing in 1991. 

 

She was a lover of music, unique hats, and sweets. She was known for her myriad of adages fit for any occasion. She was quite fond of reminding her granddaughters that “early to bed, early to rise, makes a young lady healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Another favorite was “time and tide wait for no man.” She ensured that everyone felt welcome in her home and made many-a-stranger feel like an instant friend. She was also an avid traveler, and anyone who saw her refrigerator could document her travels based on her collection of magnets. She valued education, loved to learn, and shared often that had she grown up at a different time, she would have been a forensic psychologist. 

 

She was a dedicated member of her community, volunteering at the library, local food bank, and countless church events. She took pride in being a part of a community that cared about others. She liked to keep busy, and at 80 years old had more social events on her calendar than most people do in their twenties. She took dance lessons, taught knitting classes, and was a member of the United Methodist Women and Red Hat Society. Her church, Centenary United Methodist in Berlin, was a foundational part of her life. She made it to nearly every Spaghetti Dinner, Hoagie sale, Mother’s Day banquet, and Christmas service for 40 years and would not have had it any other way. She was a proud “Sunshine Girl” and looked forward to sending birthday cards and notes of congratulations to fellow congregation members. 

She was a devoted mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. She found her footing as a present, unwaveringly supportive, wonderful mother whose children cannot imagine a life without her. She delighted in her grandchildren and would talk about them at every opportunity. She offered them limitless encouragement and love that will continue to lift them up throughout their lives. She was also a loyal friend and maintained many life-long friendships that meant the world to her.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Bradley, husband Walter Schlueter, sons Walter Jr. and Richard Schlueter, brothers Frances, Robert, Billy, and Jimmy Bradley, sisters Jean, Agnes, and Kathleen Bradley and Mary (Mamie) Bell, and various close friends that she loved dearly. 

 

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Acello and husband Brian Acello; son Eric Schlueter and wife Gina Schlueter; daughter Carol DiOrio and husband Bob DiOrio; nieces Wilma Bell, Audrey Ellis, and Vera Bell; and grandchildren Alexis Acello, Jillian Schlueter, Amanda Schlueter, Veronica Acello, Joseph Acello, and Vincent DiOrio. She also has numerous cousins and extended family members that reside in Scotland.

 

A visitation and memorial service in her honor will take place at Centenary United Methodist Church in Berlin, New Jersey on Friday, March 4th at 4:30 pm. Friends and family are invited to come celebrate Vera’s life. Arrangements under the direction of the COSTANTINO-PRIMO FUNERAL HOME, BERLIN NJ.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the causes near to Vera’s heart: The Food Bank of South Jersey at 1501 Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken NJ 08110 or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at 28 West 44th St. Suite 609, New York New York 10036. To leave lasting condolences, photos or to make a donation please use the links on this page.  

 

The family appreciates all of the love and support they’ve received in the wake of Vera’s passing and encourages everyone who knew and loved her to honor her by leading lives of faith, love, family, and adventure. 

 

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In remembrance, a poem by Scottish author Donald Smith

 

Winged Skye 

 

When this body comes to die, 

Set me on the headland high,

Where sun and rain go marching by,

Raven lord of wave and sky.

 

Eilean Mor Sgiathach

 

When I free my final breath,

Lay me down on gentle earth,

Where the dove shades holy garth,

And rivers run to meet the firth.

 

Eilean Mor Sgiathach

 

When my spirit passes over,

Float me on air’s mountain floor,

Where the feathered ramparts soar,

And the eagles golden hover,

 

Eilean Mor Sgiathach