MARYLOU T. SCHANZ (BARANOWSKI)

MENANDS - Marylou T. Schanz (Baranowski) of Menands, NY, joined “the Coach” during her sleep on June 19, 2018, at the Troy Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. Marylou was the third of nine children born to Witold J. and Florence M. Baranowski on February 14, 1939, in Troy, NY. She is survived by her husband John M. Schanz, and her siblings; Laura Joyce Sparks of Columbus, OH, William J. Baranowski of Waterford, CT, Joan Catherine Whited of Poulsbo, WA, David J. Baranowski of Valley Falls, NY, Victor J. Baranowski of Snyder’s Lake, NY, Jeanene D. Baranowski of Silverdale, WA. She is predeceased by her mother, father, infant brother John and sister Vicki Ann. As a child, she worked in her father’s produce and year-round seasonal business, WB’s, in Watervliet, NY. She spent many hours learning about truck farming and the merchandising of fruits and vegetables, flowering annuals, Memorial Day wreaths, and freshly cut Christmas trees. During her teenage years, she spent many hours in fields picking vegetables and in orchards picking apples with her siblings. Upon graduating from Troy High School in 1956, she went to work for the New York Telephone Company, as an operator. Her time at the telephone company was short, because she met and fell in love with her future husband, John M. Schanz of Watervliet, NY. Marylou and John were married on May 19, 1962 and she settled down to become a homemaker. Marylou and John were blessed with the birth of two sons, John D. Schanz of Villanova, PA in 1964 and William D. Schanz of Hopewell Junction, NY in 1966. Once her boys were in high school, Marylou decided to start a second career. She began working for Felthousen’s Florist in Cohoes, NY as a floral designer in 1979. She put her childhood experience to use by designing beautiful arrangements for weddings, funerals and other special occasions. Her work really stood out among others. Working with flowers brought her and the flower recipients great joy. Because of her drive and talent, she soon was supervising the day to day operation of the floral shop and would do so for many years, earning professional respect within the florist community. When her boys finished college and began families of their own, Marylou would constantly voice her pride in their accomplishments to friends and family. She was also blessed with 6 grandchildren: John Jr., Eric, Michael, Cody, Emily and Haleigh. For those that knew Marylou, you would recall that she didn’t drink or smoke but, she did love flowers, dogs, and cursing. In some circles, she was known as Sister “Curse-A-Lot”. Marylou was loved and she will truly be missed. Funeral procession will begin at 8:45 am on Friday from the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home 336 3rd St. Troy to St. Joseph’s Church where at 9:30 am a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 4 – 8 pm at the funeral home.