Westport woman recalled as ‘pioneer of her day’
WESTPORT — In her 95 years, Lois Schine was many things: A 20-year RTM member; executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce; the lone woman in her graduating class; an engineer for General Electric; a skier; a professor; a volunteer; a mother; a grandmother.
Schine died at home on July 7 at age 95, surrounded by her family, according to her obituary.
But among all of her achievements, Schine is remembered most in the Westport community for her contributions to the town. And of all her contributions to Westport, the one of which she was particularly proud was helping to create Winslow Park. Schine also played a role in convincing the Planning and Zoning Committee to make it Westport’s first open space zone, which is used for recreation and leisure, and cannot be developed.
The property originally contained a large home known as Compo House, which was owned by the Winslow family, before becoming a hospital. After being knocked down, it was set to become a retail space for B. Altman.
Schine spearheaded the idea of acquiring the land, which the town got through eminent domain. The land would eventually become the park it is today.
“Lois served Westport in many roles and over many years,” First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said. “Part of her legacy is her tireless service to our community. We are so grateful to Lois for her many contributions.”
Schine was born in Brooklyn in 1927. Her family history dates back to 1635 to the Gildersleeve family, who came to Massachusetts from England, eventually settling in Connecticut.
In 1947, she graduated second in her class from Pratt Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering as the only woman in the program. While at Pratt, she was a founding member of the Society of Women Engineers, which is now an internationally-recognized organization. She also became an honorary member of the then male only fraternity, Tau Beta Phi. She later became an official member in the 1960s.
According to two of her daughters, Leslie and Lindsay, the then-dean of Pratt Institute told Schine during her first year in college that it was his idea to take a chance on her because she was a woman. He said it ended up being the right choice because she was, at that time, first in the class.
Lindsay Schine called her mother a pioneer of her day, an independent thinker who was elegant, wise and motivated. Leslie Schine said she had a lot of dignity, intelligence and quiet strength.
Her daughters said when she went in for job interviews at other companies, they would ask the school to interview the top two people in the class. When she would go for interviews, companies would try to guide her toward a secretarial position.
General Electric ended up hiring her in advanced engineering and research after she finished college in under three years. They were one of the few companies to hire female engineers during the 1940s and 50s. During this time, she also taught engineering classes at the University of Bridgeport.
“She never was loud about it,” Leslie Schine said. “She was determined and did quietly what she had planned.”
Schine married Leonard Schine in December 1951, and the couple had five children together, settling in Westport. Leonard Schine is also remembered for his contributions to Westport, and even has a preserve and playground named after him. He died in May 1982.
After becoming an engineering consultant, Lois changed careers, becoming the director of volunteer services at Bridgeport Hospital, and president of the Connecticut Association of Directors of Volunteer Services and the New England Association of Volunteer Directors.
She later became the executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce in 1988, staying in that position for 16 years. Schine then served on the RTM, and became a Sacred Heart University trustee for 37 years, retiring in 2019.
On top of these accomplishments, she also became a member of the Near & Far Aid Association, the Westport Rotary Club and the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
Matthew Mandell, executive director of the WWCC and chair of the RTM’s planning and zoning committee, described his experiences with Schine, whom he met while becoming an RTM member.
“She was very supportive of me and helping me out with becoming the executive director early on,” he said.
Mandell also talked about how she secured the land for Winslow Park, calling it “Westport’s Central Park.”
“It’s a great piece of land to have,” he said.
Outside of her accomplishments, Schine was known for being “dressed to the nines,” as Manell put it.
Lindsay Schine said she always matched her outfit and was put together.
Another thing that stood out for Lindsay Schine was her mother’s love of ice cream.
Lois would say, “I’m just having a spoonful of ice cream” after dinner. The ice cream, Lindsay said, would be piled on top of a serving spoon.
Leslie Schine said, “We always thought she could balance a quart of ice cream on a teaspoon.”
Leslie reminisced on traveling with her mother, particularly to Tau Beta Phi’s 50th anniversary of admitting women in Columbus.
Lois was one of the oldest women in attendance, as she was an honorary member for 20 years, which was longer than the others. Leslie said the younger attendees came up to the older ones, including her mother, and thanked them for paving the way.
Leslie also remembered her mother’s love of skiing, and her refusal to let things like blizzards keep her from the slopes. Lois continued to ski well into her 80s, Leslie said.
Sacred Heart University President John J. Petillo commented on Schine’s 37 years as a member of the board of trustees, calling her and her husband friends of the university.
“She was always incredibly kind to everyone she met,” he said.
Petillo said Schine visited campus and attended events there until she was unable to do so, and many members of the university have fond memories of running into her.
Schine and her husband also established a scholarship that Petillo said has helped many students attend SHU for their studies. The campus also features The Schine Auditorium, which honors her and Leonard.
“Lois’ persistence in breaking down the barriers aimed at keeping her from her dream of becoming an engineer paved the way for the young women in our engineering program today,” Petillo said. “She was truly a remarkable woman, and she will be greatly missed.”
Joan Crossman, an auxillary board member of Bridgeport Hospital, agreed.
“Lois was a lovely lady,” Crossman said. “That’s the true word — she was a lady.”