CAPE VINCENT, NY – Sister Arline Schmeer, Ph.D., passed away peacefully Sunday, March 17, at Samaritan Keep Home in Watertown.
For 57 years, Arline was a Dominican Sister with Our Lady of the Springs, Bridgeport, CT.
Born in Rochester, NY, the daughter of Edward “Yock” and Madeline Haines Schmeer, Sister was a 1947 graduate of Nazareth Academy.
As a devout member of the Dominican Order of Preachers, Sister Arline was a highly respected educator with teaching appointments at junior high, high school, and college planes including the University of Wurtzburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Sister Arline was also an internationally recognized scientist, lecturer, and consultant in cancer research. Sister is most recognized for her discovery of an anti-cancer agent she termed Mercene. This drug has been proven effective as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor agent. Her discovery was independently confirmed by Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Albert Szent Gyorgyi, among others.
Dr. Schmeer earned a Ph.D. in Bio-Medicine from the University of Colorado in addition to her B.A. from Ohio Dominican University and an MSc in Biology from Notre Dame Un. Additionally, Dr. Schmeer received honorary doctoral degrees from the NY State Board of Regents plus Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT. Other exemplary awards included Governor’s Award from The Ohio Academy of Science, Sertoma Community Service Award, President’s Gold Medal from the University of Detroit, and Outstanding Alumna Award from Ohio Dominican, all given to Dr. Schmeer in recognition of superior contributions to science, education, and community.
Sister Arline was predeceased by her brother, Edward “Bud” Schmeer and his wife, Marlene Wilcox Schmeer, of Cape Vincent.
Sister is survived by her cousin, Paul Leschorn, and her four nephews: Kurt, Kyle, Mark, David and families.
Visitation hours: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday March 21, 2019, at St. Vincent of Paul Church, Cape Vincent, NY
Funeral mass: 11 a.m. Friday March 22, 2019, at St. Vincent of Paul Church, Cape Vincent, NY
In lieu of flowers: family requests contributions be made to an educational fund established in Sister Arline’s name. Please send to: Sr. Arline Schmeer Science and Education Fund, c/o The Dominican Sisters Our Lady of the Springs, 21 Schuyler Ave, Stamford, CT 06902.
Online condolences will be greatly appreciated: ClevelandFHInc.com
