Patricia (Nelada) Smalley Schindler

patricia schindler

October 25, 1928 ~ October 9, 2024

Born in: Washington, DC
Resided in: Vienna, VA

Patricia (Nelada) Smalley Schindler, 95, died peacefully on October 9, 2024, at Hidden Springs Senior Living following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Schindler was a native of Washington, D.C., born October 25, 1928, at Garfield Hospital, the daughter of Harold Ryland and Hazel (Marie) Compton Smalley. Growing up in the Tacoma neighborhood of the District’s Northwest, she graduated from Coolidge High School and then attended Wilson Teachers College. While in school, she volunteered as a Nurse’s Aide at George Washington University Hospital and, later, sang in the National Cathedral Choral Society under Paul Callaway.

Mrs. Schindler worked as an administrative assistant for much of her life, first at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), followed by positions at the Capitol for the Senator from Indiana, the Town Journal (Pathfinder) magazine, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fairfax Hospital, and National Scientific Laboratory.

Mrs. Schindler’s father, whose profession was in agriculture and botany, led her to learn and enjoy all aspects of the natural world; especially wildflowers and birds. While at the USFWS, she became a lifelong friend of the wildlife illustrator, Shirley Briggs; and, with Shirley, accompanied Rachel Carson on trips to Hawk Mountain, Pa., to view the hawk migrations. Later in life, Mrs. Schindler volunteered at both the Great Falls and the C&O Canal National Parks as a nature walk guide where she made good friends with fellow volunteers: Helen Johnston, Betty Henson, and Betty Bushell. She also volunteered at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Va., during its early development in the 1980s.

Mrs. Schindler was preceded in death by her husband Adolph Franz Schindler; her sister Elizabeth (Jean) Smalley Wardman; and her brothers John Compton Smalley and Richard Warren Smalley. She is survived by her son John Stephen Schindler (with Katharine) and by her granddaughter, Ann Compton Schindler.

The family is greatly appreciative of the care given to Mrs. Schindler by the staff at Hidden Springs Senior Living (Bentonville); they provided a caring and joyful environment along with beautiful pastoral views of the Shenandoah. The family is also appreciative of the medical care provided by Front Royal Family Practice and the Warren Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held for Mrs. Schindler at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Rd., Vienna, Va. The Reverend Jacqueline Thomson, Pastoral Associate, will officiate.

A burial service will be held at a later date at Massanutten Cemetery in Woodstock, Va.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016; cathedral.org

Services

Memorial Service: November 1, 2024 11:00 am

Church of the Holy Comforter
543 Beulah Road, NE
Vienna, VA 22181

703-938-7440

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  1. Spending time with Mrs. Schindler was always such a delight. It is comforting to know that her indomitable spirit will live on in her granddaughter Ann.


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