Lois A. Schofield

Lois Alberta (Rand) Schofield, 81, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend passed away peacefully on January 10, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 6, 1937 in Waltham, Mass. to the late Harry and Louise (Pickering) Rand, she was a graduate of Waltham High School. Lois met the love of her life, Paul, while still in High School. They were married at the age of 20 just as Paul was embarking on a career in the United States Navy. Soon thereafter, they started their family of four beautiful daughters. Due to Paul’s Navy career they had the opportunity to live in many places, including Cuba, Guam, California, and Virginia before retiring and ultimately settling back “home” in Massachusetts. Lois’ greatest joy was being a wife to Paul, mother to her four daughters, and “Nana” to all her ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. While the first part of her adult life was dedicated to being a loving wife and doting mother, once her “nest” emptied, Lois filled her time by starting and running Stepping Stones Preschool out of her home in Holbrook, Mass., during the 1970s and 80s, and touched the lives of hundreds of children, all of whom were better off having known her and been exposed to her universal brand of loving kindness. She was an adored “Nana,” not only to her 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, but also to all their friends who appreciated that she always went out of her way to treat everyone she met like they were important. Each of her grandchildren confidently believe he or she was her favorite. Lois, who was fiercely competitive under her gentle, kind demeanor, and Paul also dedicated themselves to girls’ and women’s sports, especially soccer, a sport they coached for more than a decade. They also enjoyed square dancing, country music and visiting their timeshare in Branson, MO. Lois was an avid card player and anyone – family or friend – who ever played with her, knew she played to win! Lois had a deep love for all living things; from the birds and squirrels she fed every day, to the beautiful flowers she cultivated with love. Her yard was her sanctuary, and she cared greatly for the creatures that both called it home and just passed through. She is predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Paul Schofield and leaves their four daughters: Timmi Marchese and husband James, Terri Liggans and husband Erin, Tammi Milne and husband Jeff, and Angel Ayres and her fiancé Wayne Mogel; grandchildren: James and wife Chantal, Paul and Daniel Marchese; Corey and husband Shawn Miller, Cyle and wife Courtney Liggans; Eric, Joshua and wife Shannon, Will and Kayti Sylvia; and Jesse Ayers; great-grandchildren Finley, Kellyn, Cameron, Vivienne and Harper; and her sisters: Gwen Rand, Flo Vana and her husband Robert, and Jeanne Neidbalson. Visiting hours will be on Monday, January 14th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation at 220 North Main Street in East Longmeadow, MA. A Celebration of Lois’s Life will take place at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. She will be buried in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam with her husband. Donations can be made to the Arbor Day Foundation, Q11 North 12th Street, Lincoln, NB 68508. Please note on your check: “In memory of Lois Schofield” or to your personal favorite charity. For more information or to leave a condolence for the family please visit: www.forastiere.com.