Jeanne Agnes (Hayes) Schroeder

Schroeder: Jan. 16, 1930- Mar. 22, 2025. 

Jeanne Agnes (nee Hayes) 95, of Eagan. Passed away at home with a houseful of family and her dog Charlie present. Preceded in death by her parents, siblings, nearly all of her dearest friends, husband of 43 years Joseph, and special friend Glen Sonmor. Survived by daughters Christine (Roy) Sandstrom and Lisabeth (John) Byrne, grandchildren Amy (Scott) Verbout, Erick (Linda) Swanson, Joseph (Kiersten) Byrne, Ryan Byrne and Jack Byrne, great-grandchildren Wyatt, Max, Matthew, Natalie Jean, and Declan and great-great grandson Mason, as well as another great-granddaughter due this summer and many loving family members, friends, and neighbors. Our matriarch lived the longest of anyone in the Hayes clan. She and her cousin and lifelong best friend Harv are together again, and the party is likely by the pool or at a Willie Nelson concert. Born in her beloved St. Paul, the youngest of the 4 Hayes children, she spent much of her youth on the family farm near Hudson. Jeanne attended St. Mark's and graduated from Derham Hall, Class of '47. She attended the U of M, and then worked as a stewardess for the "Flying Tigers" passenger service, as well as in the library at Hamline, as a model, and as a product demonstrator- even conducting the original "Pepsi Challenge" in malls all over the Twin Cities. In 1980, she became a fragrance model, soon landing her career as an Account Coordinator for Parfums Givenchy. She became the local face of the luxury brand- the crew at Southdale still asked about her- and she brought many members of the family into the industry before finally retiring in 2004 at the age of 84. A lifelong, proud Democrat, she was getting the vote out before she could vote herself. Paul Wellstone would recognize HER in the crowd and always wave. She was proud of her Irish Catholic heritage and her ancestral roots to County Limerick, County Donegal, and County Tipperary. She loved all things French and celebrated her 80th birthday in Paris and her 90th at a huge party with her family and friends. She had many animals during her lifetime, but she especially loved dogs, primarily rescues or from people she knew who needed a home for one. From her Boston Bull Terrier Trixie when she was young to her faithful Cocker Spaniel Charlie-Boy, who shared a birthday with Jeanne's mother Agnes and never left her side at the end. More than one person said, "I'd like to come back as one of Jeanne's pets." Never was there a bigger lover of animals. Jeanne had an amazing sense of humor and, near the end, loved telling one of her dad's jokes- "If your nose runs and your feet smell, you're probably built upside down." Jeanne loved wine, champagne, and a good Manhattan. She loved the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, and her friend Carol Connolly. She loved Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and William Holden. Her favorite films were "Gone With The Wind" and "Casablanca." Jeanne was an avid reader- in addition to the Pioneer Press every morning, a few of her favorite authors were John Sanford, Vince Flynn, and Sue Grafton. She loved to travel, was an excellent cook, and preferred just about anything over housework. The sign that greeted visitors in her entryway read, "Housework never killed anyone, but why take the chance?" Jeanne got her wings the same day her grandson Jack did his first solo flight. She was so excited to know he was going to school to be a pilot. Look to the skies- whether it's a bird, the stars, a plane, or her "Bella Luna"- she will be right there. There was literally no one cooler than Jeanne. She radiated class. Her sense of style and fashion were unparalleled and often imitated. She had the heart of a lion. A brilliant mind. She was effortlessly humorous and exceptionally skilled. An avid golfer, bowler, and fan of all music- especially live! She couldn't do the clapping part to John Fogerty's "Centerfield" but it was probably the only thing she wasn't able to do. That and stop time. She was courageous. She was charming. She was beautiful. She was funny. She was loved. Keep the bubbly on ice for the rest of us, Jeanne. We'll adore you always, ma mère. 

Wake 4-8PM Monday 3/31 and funeral at 12PM, with visitation one hour before, on Tuesday 4/1 at O'Halloran and Murphy, 575 Snelling Avenue south, with interment at Calvary cemetery in St. Paul. There will be a reception at Gabe's on Lexington Avenue from 2-4 PM following the graveside service. Memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota or donors' choice.
 

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