Patricia (Tricia) Riley Schneider

Hello. I am an American, red-headed woman of Irish descent. My dad served 31 years in the USAF, so I grew up living in many places, which gave me a wonderful, inclusive perspective about people from different cultures.

I married my first husband quite young at 17. When I was 34, I decided to go to college and then seminary. By the time I was 40, I had received a BS in Sociology/Psychology and a Master of Divinity. I also went on to train as a Spiritual Director and completed 5200 hours of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education)---Chaplaincy Training in a hospital setting.

Shortly after graduating from seminary, I went through a divorce and two years later met the absolute love of my life. It was love at first sight for both of us. We married and have been together for nearly 30 years. We complete each other.

I was ordained in May of 2000, even though I was in ministry as a chaplain for many years prior. I was a hospital and hospice chaplain for nearly 30 years but had to retire in 2014 due to health issues.

I am a 70-year-old woman who neither looks nor acts my age. I have a strong sense of irony and humor (I got that from my dad), and I love to laugh. I tend to have a positive outlook on life, even though I am now disabled from an old injury, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue.

I love animals and am an animal rescuer and protector. We have 8 adored, rescued feline fur-babies. I also love reading, writing, rainy or foggy days, snowy nights, brilliant starry nights, autumn leaves blowing in the wind, Halloween, Christmas, having friends over, music. quiet times as I am an Introvert, and snuggling with our kitties. I also adore coffee, chocolate, warm cinnamon rolls, cooking and baking, and finding new cocktails to try.

I am a gentle, peaceful person with an open heart, open mind, and a desire to learn and understand about others. I am also an old Hippie and proud of my days of protesting and marching back in the 60s.

Through the years, I have walked through fire, grief, pain and emerged on the other side. I have found life to be exciting, mysterious, challenging, and unpredictable.

All I can say is, "What a ride life is!"