Deirdre Ellen McCarthy Schoeller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, was born on May 2, 1934, in Monasterevin, Ireland, to Delia McCarthy and Arthur McCarthy. She was the middle child of three sisters, Hilda Gregan and Geraldine Conroy.

Highly educated and a gifted teacher who spoke several languages, Deirdre traveled to France after college, where she worked as an au pair for a family and later taught school. She was also a runner-up for Miss Ireland in the Miss Universe pageant.

Deirdre had an adventurous spirit and love of travel. She was selected to be a stewardess with Pan American Airways which brought her to the United States. She traveled the world and rose to the prestigious position of Purser. In 1957, while in New York representing Ireland at a conference, she met her future husband, James “Jim” Peter Schoeller, who was representing Irish Crystal. Their first date was at the famous Copacabana in New York.

Deirdre and Jim were married on July 1, 1959, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in her hometown of Kilcullen, Ireland. They eventually made their home on Vina Del Mar in Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida, where they began their family. They soon had four children under the age of four: Patrick McCarthy Schoeller (Cindy), Dorothy Ellen Schoeller, Jacqueline Brigid Esasky (John), and Wendy Alice Ann Crumit (Max).

Family and faith were at the heart of Deirdre and Jim’s lives. They worked hard and sacrificed to provide their four children with a Catholic education and made attending Mass together every Sunday a priority. Their faith remained an important part of their family throughout their lives.

Deirdre was a hardworking and determined woman who enjoyed a variety of careers over the years, including selling Amway, Avon, where she became a Top Seller, and eventually opening her own real estate firm, Schoeller Realty. After retirement, Deirdre enjoyed researching, investing and trading daily in the stock market.

She was also an avid tennis player, continuing to play well into her late 70s. Deirdre loved music, dancing, and celebrating life. Whenever there was a party and music was playing, you could almost always find her on the dance floor. She had a wonderful zest for life and a gift for telling stories that brought her many adventures to life.

Deirdre is survived by her husband, Jim, her four children, sister Geraldine Conroy, sister-in-law Rita (Howard), 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved family members and friends.

Her grandchildren are:

Patrick’s children: Thomas, John, and Paul Schoeller

Jacqui’s children: John Ryan (Laura), Grant (Averi), Adam (Tayler), Sarah, and Joel

Wendy’s children: Andy (Becca) Williams, Matthew (Carolyn) Williams, Jackson (Maggie) Crumit, and Emily Crumit

Deirdre loved life, loved her family, and lived it with an adventurous spirit, a strong faith, and a wonderful sense of fun. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She died peacefully on September 17, 2026.

We know that she is now in Heaven, dancing, singing, and telling stories about the remarkable life she lived.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Marry Catholic Church on October 8, 2026 at 10:30am with Fr. Richard Walsh Presiding. St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, Fl 32789.