The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mom, daughter remembered
Pair killed in what has been ruled a homicide, arson
A vigil to honor the lives of a mother and daughter killed in Mayfield Heights was held on Nov. 29 at Mayfield High School, where loved ones and community members gathered to find comfort and unity.
Rebecca Pletnewski, 41, and her daughter, 8-year-old Olivia Schneider, died following a Nov. 20 arson, according to police.
Olivia was a third-grader at Lander Elementary School in Mayfield Heights.
“She (Olivia) was a ball of sunshine that lit up our hallways with light and love,” said Lander Principal Felecia Evans. “Her smile was infectious and her giggle could be heard across the room.”
Evans added, “She wore her love for everyone right on her sleeve.”
Rebecca’s friends and fellow
nurses at University Hospitals spoke collectively in her memory during the vigil, and said, “We measured ourselves to her standard of care . ... She was our mentor when we needed guidance, our sister when we needed someone to talk to, our colleague when we needed advice and most importantly, our friend when we needed help.”
The vigil also featured memorial-type songs by students and community members, including a show choir and solo performances. Mayfield Heights police chaplain David Kern
also spoke.
“Today we gather here to flex the muscle of the brute strength of community in the face of darkness,” Kern said. “...We must look through the darkness of this incomprehensible evil to see the shining light that Rebecca and Olivia have fueled in their time here with us.”
Overall, the program was organized by Erin Sipos, founder of the MAC Foundation, which is a Mayfield organization that gives back all of its donations to members of the community that are faced with unexpected tragedy.
The deaths of Pletnewski and her daughter were ruled homicides by the Medical Examiner’s
Office. Police stated that Pletnewski had been found dead in her home, fatally stabbed before the fire started. According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, her daughter died at a hospital from smoke inhalation.
Police made an arrest on Nov. 23 in connection to their deaths, and the suspect is being charged with two counts of aggravated murder as well as an aggravated arson charge.
All of the proceeds from the Nov. 29 vigil will go to Olivia’s sister and Rebecca’s daughter, Vivienne Whittle.
In the past, Olivia had donated her toys during Christmas and had been planning a Toys for Tots
fundraiser this year. Now, her father, Kurt Schneider, will be putting on the fundraiser.
Rebecca and Olivia’s family said in a statement, “Our families are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support we have received. We are so grateful for our amazing family, friends, community and especially the hard work of the Mayfield Heights Police Department and all of the fire departments and first responders.”
Those wanting to help support the family should contact Lander Elementary at 440995-7350, or visit macfoundation.net.