Agnes Chamberlin

TRIBUTE TO AGNES MARY (SCHUMEYER) CHAMBERLIN (1924-2022)

Agnes Mary (Schumeyer) Chamberlin died on April 29, 2022, a resident of Archer, Florida, at age 98 years, 2 months, and 3 days. She was born in Maspeth, Queens County, NY, on February 26, 1924, to William and Agnes Bridgette (Watson) Schumeyer. She married George Leroy Chamberlin on June 16, 1942, while he was on a month leave during WWII. Two children, George Richard Chamberlin, and Arlene (Chamberlin) Bailey survived her.

Agnes has four grandchildren: Ryan Daniel Chamberlin, Eitan Richard Chamberlin, Crystal Jean Fournier, and Daniel Jay Smith. She has seven great-grandchildren: Alexander, Andrew, Anthony, Avery, Arbel. Nitai, and Keely.

Agnes met her husband, George Leroy Chamberlin, at a sand lot football game in New York. She was thirteen years old. In that game George caught a touchdown pass. Agnes somehow missed his football accomplishment, but George did not miss her, “she was beautiful with black hair, dark blue eyes, dressed impeccably.“

George joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and ordered to Panama. When he returned from Panama to the United States on a thirty-day leave. (On June 16, 1942), the two were married “until death do us part.” Both lived out there marital commitment. Neither ever re-married.

As a newlywed, Agnes supported the WWII war effort employed as a secretary working for a captain at the Eglin Air Force base in Florida. On one occasion in 2021 her son asked, What were you doing on D-Day, June 6, 1944?” She answered, “I do not know. I was not permitted to read newspapers or listen to the radio while working on top secret sensitive war material in Florida.” She had an active and important role in the WWII effort.

After the war it was common for Agnes to have two, or even three, jobs at a time working at various restaurants in New York. She still had time to raise two children of her own. With the monies earned she sent her son to private school, college, and law school. Agnes was a diligent worker.

In 1968, she was working at a fast order restaurant in NY that catered to NYC garbagemen. With the tips earned from this restaurant she surprised her son with a brand new 1968 Chevelle Malibu wrapped in cellophane in front of the barracks at the Citadel graduation in May 1968. Her daughter was her best friend. Agnes loved her children.

After Agnes and George retired to Florida in 1968, Agnes owned and worked in at least five restaurants. She began work in the kitchen of an elementary school through the Alachua County Public School System at age 65. She retired 10 years later with a small State pension.

She loved her dogs and her dogs loved her. When she left for the nursing home the last time both she and her dog, Georgio, were despondent over their separation

Agnes and her husband loved to travel, especially on a cruise ship. It is estimated that she participated in over fifty cruises during the life. He favorite port was St Thomas in the Caribbean. Here she cold purchases her cartons of cigarettes and alcohol duty free. Agnes went on her last cruise with her son and daughter in February 2020, just before Covid-19 locked down all cruise ships around the world.

Second to cruising was her love for shopping. Her daily walks at the Gainesville Mall in her senior years proved to be good for body, especially her legs.

At age 75 she worked at three separate locations in any given month: 1) She worked daily at an elementary school kitchen, 2) She worked weekly handing out coupons at various food stores, such as Sam’s Club, Publix, Winn Dixie, etc.; (3) at least once a month she took inventory at the 84 Lumber yard. She worked until she was 80 years old. She was an example of the American work ethic.

Her husband died on December 20, 2003. When asked by her son why she never remarried, she said. ”when you have had the best there is no reason to have anyone else.’ June 16 will be their 80th wedding anniversary applauded by the living. In eternity their marriage will applauded, by a multiple of witnesses including the heavenly angels.

Her life was highlighted by the love and commitment to her husband, love and commitment for her children, and love and commitment for her work.

In the last month of her life, out of 200 or more residents at the Palm Garden Nursing home in Gainesville, Florida, she was chosen “Resident of the Month,” accompanied by a written tribute that went to every room in the building and remained posted the entire month she died, of April 2022.

Agnes had two favorite songs by Frank Sinatra’s rendition of: “My Way” and “New York, New York.” Later in life she enjoyed Whitney Houston’s rendition of, “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.” The chorus of the last song goes like this, “ I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I am free, For his eyes are on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me”

Leaving our mother in the hands of God, we unanimously agree her children agree, “When you have had the best, there is no reason to have any other.” like the sparrow, God has watched over our mother. In death, she is watching over us. Mom, may you forever rest in peace with the assurance your family from the oldest to the youngest, in unity, will always love you.