Petronilla "Pate" Schuh's Obituary
Petronilla “Pate” Schuh, age 88, of Leesburg, FL passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Her husband of 31 years, Donald Schuh, preceded her in death in August 1990.
Pate is survived by her children: Timothy; Stephen (Nora), Stephanie, and Cynthia (Richard); her devoted grandchildren: Joshua (Kelly), Brittanie (Jeff), Amanda (Gerard), Jesse (Stephanie), Melissa (Coy), Kyle, Jena, and Joseph; and her beloved great-grandchildren: Timothy, Deagon, Camden, Collin, Arlo, Jace, Laina, Joel James, Calum, Finley, and Carter. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Gene Hay and sister-in-law Joan McMahon, as well as her many beloved nieces and nephews.
Pate was preceded in death by her parents, Mortimer and Alice McMahon; sisters, Mary, Helen, Catherine, Anna Marie, Maureen, and Joan; and brothers, Donald, Eugene, James, Robert, Hubert, Mert, and Merle.
Pate was born on April 22, 1937 in Fort Dodge, IA, the youngest of fourteen children. She was named in honor of a nun at St. Joseph Hospital who helped in her delivery. Her beautiful name is derived from Petronious or Petra meaning “little rock” or “stone” which symbolizes strength.
She attended Corpus Christi Academy in Barnum, IA where she was president of her graduating class in 1955. She worked as a telephone operator prior to becoming a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines where she was stationed out of Love Field in Dallas, TX. After leaving Braniff she married Donald Schuh on June 6, 1959 in Barnum, IA and they lived in Council Bluffs, IA. After visiting her brother Eugene in Long Beach, CA in February of 1964 they decided to pack up their two boys and move to sunny Southern CA where they later had their two girls. Pate worked various jobs over the years, primarily in customer facing roles, while also raising her family and finding time for volunteer roles, primarily within her Catholic parish. Pate joyfully retired from American States Water Company in 2000 after 23 years of outstanding service.
Pate relocated from Cerritos, CA to Tavares, FL in 2004 and then to Leesburg, FL in 2020. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage and was devoted to her Catholic faith. She often told stories about growing up on the farm in Iowa and always counted her blessings for sweet memories with her large family and many friends. She was an active member in every Catholic parish where she lived and volunteered in many ways including, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Bereavement Committee, Religious Education, and Thrift Store Volunteer. She constantly prayed for all her family and friends and enjoyed teaching others about the love and mercy of God.
Pate loved spending quality time with family and friends and sharing meals and good conversation. She prioritized attending family events such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, and family reunions. She loved to travel and visited many countries (some multiple times) such as Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Croatia, and a special family cruise to the Bahamas for her 80th birthday.
Pate will be missed by all who knew her and were fortunate enough to enjoy her laughter and her love.
In lieu of Flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Pate's name to Cornerstone Hospice by following the link below:
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E346236&id=2
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