Gertrude LEIANE Schulte, age 76, was escorted by her angels to Heaven into the Presence of her Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 6, 2024. She was born in North Jersey to the late Vincent Schulte and Gertrude (nee Trevena) Schulte.
Imagine living in the world of Mary Poppins. That is the experience everyone had with Leiane, whether as a friend, teammate, or classmate, instructor, or coach. She exuded a captivating air wherever she was. She graduated with honors from Woodrow Wilson High School, Levittown, Pa, and was an outstanding student/athlete there. During her 1st years of college at Susquehanna University she was an honors student, and in her 2nd year she was selected second team All-American in college field hockey.
Pursuing her career to be a teacher, Leiane transferred to Monmouth College in New Jersey, was an honors student there and graduated 1969. Later, she also received a Master’s Degree in Child Psychology from Delaware University.
After college Leiane began her teaching career of 35 years creating a magical world in her classroom just like Mary Poppins would have done. Today, over 1,200 former students warmly remember her kind influence. During her career she wrote the Pennsylvania Pre-School Curriculum with great influence. Further, she was offered the Directorship position over Student Teaching at Delaware University. She declined the position – “to be with the children during their impressionable years”. Such was the beauty of spirit of “Leiane Schulte”.
In her retirement she often became the D-Mom (Delaware Mom) to several young adults due to her wisdom, common sense, and kind manner. Also, during her retirement she became an inspiration to many inmates and staff of Vaughn Correctional Center, sending cartoons, puzzles, various articles to read and general assistance. Literally, she was a Mary Poppins.
Leiane is survived by her husband of 19 years, Pastor Ed Jones; her former husband and continued friend, Frank Devenport; her sister and friend, Lynn Shreve and her husband Dana; and also, affectionally known as D-Mom to Sharryn, Stephen and Yauri and her hundreds of former students, friends, and people touched by her magical manner and humor.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 12 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy. Wilmington, DE, where a Celebration of Life will follow at 7:00 pm. Interment will occur at 11am on Saturday, January 13, at Emilie Methodist Cemetery 7300 New Falls Rd, Levittown, PA 19055.
For online condolence visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
