Carolyn Catherine Schneider

Carolyn Catherine (née Miller) Schneider, 93, passed away in the loving arms of our Lord on June 23, 2026, in Portland, OR. Born on June 5, 1933 in Olympia, Washington, to Mary Rose Crosby of Spokane, WA & Albert Peterson of Ballard, WA, Carolyn and her mother settled in San Francisco and Alameda, CA. during her formative years. She attended St. Joseph Notre Dame high school in Alameda & graduated from San Jose State University where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. 

Upon graduating from college, Carolyn became a Hollywood starlet having signed with Paramount Studios, following in the entertainment industry of her maternal uncles, American music icons, Bing & Bob Crosby.

After her brief exposure to Hollywood, Carolyn married John J. (Jack) Quinn, of Watsonville, CA., where they settled in his hometown to raise their six children. 

Carolyn moved her family to Albuquerque, NM., where she was a businesswoman of two Native American businesses & lived there for many years. During this time she was married to James E. Michels.

She moved to Summerlin, NV. & lived there for many years with husband, Dirk Schneider until his passing in 2022. Carolyn then moved to Portland, OR. for the last few years of her life. 

Carolyn was full of life & loved to sing/act/dance. There were many a fun-filled occasions where she was the center of attention performing any one of her talents. 

She ran her trading post & jewelry business with success, involving her children, too. She was a devout Catholic & was a member of a parish wherever she lived. The world will be less lively without Carolyn but there is faith in knowing she is in a much better place now, with family members she loved so dearly.

Predeceasing her in death was her husband, Dirk Schneider; son, Thomas E. Quinn; & brother, William C. Miller. Surviving members include her sons & daughter: Stephen W. Quinn of Alliance, NE; Michael D. Quinn of Santa Cruz, CA; Brian V. Quinn of Portland, OR; Mary A. (Quinn) Coumes of Coronado, CA; John M. Quinn of Carmel, CA. Carolyn leaves behind many grandchildren & great-grandchildren along with dear friends in Summerlin, Albuquerque, & California.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10 am in the San Carlos Cathedral; Monterey, CA, with interment immediately following at San Carlos Cemetery; Monterey, CA. Reception to follow. For further information, please contact [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carolyn's name to a charity of your choice.