Margaret Ann Schumacher

Margaret (Maggie) Ann Schumacher (Sternik). Norwich, CT

Born 12/21/1958. Died 6/22/2026

Maggie passed away comfortably at home surrounded by family and friends after a heroic battle with cancer.

Maggie was born in Queens, NY to Margaret (Peggy) Zweeres and Walter Sternik.  Early in life her family moved to CT and she became a lifelong resident.  She spent her formative years as an only child in a small house on the shore in the Short Beach section of Brandford.  Artistic from an early age Maggie played piano, played the organ at the catholic Church, drew, painted and participated in multiple theatrical offerings through high school. She went off to college at Susquehanna University in PA where she continued her love of theatre and met lifelong friends.  After college, while working at Goodspeed Opera House as a scenic artist, she met her husband, Karl Schumacher. They were married in 1986. They bought and made a home in Norwich in which she lived and loved until she died. 

Her working life was a creative and colorful mix of caring endeavors.  She was a full-time, super-organized and artistic homemaker. A loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She played the church organ beautifully and faithfully- for over 20 years at United Congregational in Norwich and for nearly 10 years at United Methodist in New London.  She had a 20-year career as a beloved music teacher- teaching general music to K-8 grade students at the Integrated Day Charter School for over 10 years and then at Sacred Heart in Taftville and St. Patrick’s in Norwich.

After “retiring” during the pandemic, she became fulltime caregiver to her two grandchildren.  She gave them the best, most loving and creative home day care that anyone could hope for. 

Throughout her life, Maggie was an avid walker and hiker. She loved going on outings and adventures with her husband and family. She was an expert camping trip planner and got to see many wonderful places in their most natural settings. Maggie was a force of nature.  She was a gardener and naturalist, an artist and theatre lover, a skilled pianist and musician, an expert knitter and a lifelong caregiver.

Sadly, cancer stole away a retirement plan filled with travel and grandkids. Instead, she spent her last year valiantly fighting a rare and aggressive cancer.

She will be long remembered by her husband, Karl; her two children, Rachel and Adam; Son-in-law, Nick; grandchildren, Magnolia and Freddy; and many loving friends and family.

A celebration of life for Maggie is being planned for the future.