Ethel Mae Schneider, who was known for her will and determination, will be remembered for her generosity to her family and the community. She died on Jan. 3 at the age of 90.

The Cupertino resident was born in Chicago and moved to the Bay Area in 1964 to open a McDonald's restaurant with her husband, William. Their marriage lasted 51 years.

Schneider attended business school and worked in accounting for Sears & Roebuck and as an office manager in a law firm.

She raised two sons, Mark of Loma Mar and Ken of Morgan Hill, and was a Cub Scout leader when they were young.

Schneider was also president of the Sacred Heart Parish Catholic Women's Club and provided religious teaching to children with special needs.

After her retirement in 1984, she enjoyed traveling around the world and playing bridge. Not one to give in to age, she took a rafting trip in the Canadian Rockies when she was in her early 80s and played bridge until a month before she died.

She was also active in St. Joseph's of Cupertino and supported many charities. Schneider and her husband donated the flagpole at Memorial Park.

Beside her son, Schneider is survived by her sister, Laverne Nappi of Lombard, Ill.; her brothers, Walter Schmidt of Mt. Prospect, Ill., and Robert Schmidt of Edinburg, Texas; and her grandchildren, Lindsay, Rachel, Adam and Bret Schneider

A memorial mass was held on Jan. 11 at St. Joseph's of Cupertino. Contributions may be made in Schneider's honor to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Silicon Valley Chapter, the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.