American Association for Women in Community Colleges

Salute to Strong Women
Phyllis Schulte

The ‘strong woman’ in my life that I want to share is my mother-in-law, Frances Schulte. She has been a part of my life for about 40 years….and through all of these years, she has been a tower of strength and caring and sharing with others. I am fortunate to have been married to her eldest son.

Frances was born in 1913, one of five siblings. She has wonderful stories of her growing up years on the southside of Quincy (Calftown) and how life was back ‘in the older days’!! Actually, she has lived all of her 94 years within a three block radius of where she was born. Most of those years have been on 8th Street, just south of VanBuren, where she still resides today. She grew up with horse & buggy as the mode of transportation, lived thru the depression, saw the automobile emerge to today’s standards, air plane travel, and the space age. Her knowledge of Quincy history and who is related to who is fantastic!

Frances married, and had eight children, one of whom died as an infant. She was a wife and mother first and foremost. At age 60, her husband died. At age 61, with two sons still in college, she went into the work force…..and worked until she retired at age 83. Her life also saw her deal with the deaths of two adult sons (one my husband) and one daughter-in-law. She has outlived all of her siblings and their spouses and many of her friends. Yet, she has never asked ‘why me’????

Through all of life, Frances always has a smile on her face and a concern for the other person. Whenever I see the phrase ‘Faith, Family, Friends’, I think of Frances. Faith, family and friends have always been and remain the most important elements of her life! Even though recent years have limited her eyesight and physical activities, she is the ‘matriarch’ of the Schulte family. She is equally proud of each of her children and their spouses, the grandchildren and spouses and the great grandchildren. I am so proud to be her “daughter”-in-law, and cherish the special relationship she and I have shared through the fun/good times of life and the sad/sober time of life.