Rochelle C. Schait
June 8, 1942 – December 28, 2021
Devoted Mother, Grandmother, Generous volunteer, One classy lady
Rochelle “Shelley” Ann Schait (nee: Caggiano) formerly of Upper Montclair died at home December 28, 2021 from AML (acute myeloid leukemia) surrounded by her children Brenda Schait, Krista Schait Tobin (Brian) and Bryan Schait (Victoria). She is additionally survived by her cherished grandchildren Matthew, Carter and Morgan Tobin and Georgia and Henry Schait.
Shelley was predeceased by the love of her life Paul H. Schait. (d.1974)
The daughter of the late Yona (nee DeCesare) and George Caggiano, Shelley was born June 8, 1942 in St. Barnabas Hospital, Newark. A lifelong resident of Montclair (until a move to Roseland in 2007), much of her life, work and volunteering was bound to her hometown.
She attended Immaculate Conception grammar school and Montclair High School- while working as a Dental Assistant to Dr. Cunningham on Bellevue Avenue. Upon graduation Shelley studied briefly at Beaver College (PA) and completed her education for teaching at Caldwell College going on to teach at Immaculate Conception and St. Cassian schools. In 1962 she had married her high school sweetheart, Paul Schait (Schait and Son Dry Cleaners), and settled on North Fullerton Avenue to raise their three children, until his untimely death.
In the late 1970’s Shelley began a long career at United Airlines beginning as a Reservation Desk Support Specialist and eventually ending her career there at Newark Airport’s Red Carpet Room. During a brief furlough from United, Shelley couldn't remain idle and opened a stationery/invitation store, Glad Tidings, in Upper Montclair. After her return and subsequent retirement from United, Shelley went back to school at 55 years old completing Paralegal studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University, working for CIT and eventually working for Partners for Women and Justice, a Montclair based charitable organization providing legal services for victims of domestic abuse.
Shelley was also a generous volunteer. Upon Paul’s death, despite being left with three young children, she joined the Montclair Volunteer Ambulance Unit as a way to give back for all they did during Paul’s illness. Her most recent volunteer work was with the Salvation Army Montclair Citadel, (also serving as a board member). Throughout her life she was a member of The Women’s Club of Upper Montclair, The Mercier Club, UNICO Montclair (serving as treasurer for a time), The Junior League of Montclair, The Garden Club and the Reunion Committee for her High School class.
However, nothing defines Shelley more accurately than her devotion to her family. She tirelessly helped wherever needed, loved nothing more than spending time with her grandkids, made celebrations special and truly cherished whenever we were all together.
A memorial service for Shelley will be held at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042: Saturday April 30, 2022 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory, if you are so inclined, are requested for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org or 800 805 5856)
