Lu Green
Skinker DeBaliviere lost another community catalyst and connector on August 31 with the death of former longtime resident, Lucille “Lu” Green, 83.
Ms. Green was the sister of longtime residents Vince Schoemehl (married to Lois and a resident of the 6100 Westminster block) and Jim Schoemehl (married to Julie and a resident of the 6100 McPherson block), and mother of Mary Lou Green (6100 block of Kingsbury).
Ms. Green pursued her life with zeal, unbridled passion and an indomitable spirit. She was known for her razor sharp wit, keen intelligence and high social IQ.
“Louie’s superpower was her ability to unify people from all walks of life and help them care about important community issues,” said Nancy Rice, a longtime friend and neighbor (6100 block of Westminster). “She harnessed that group energy to get things done.”
As an example, Ms. Rice pointed to Ms. Green’s 1982 founding of Operation Brightside, a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning and beautifying the City of St. Louis, which is still active today as Brightside St. Louis.
A neighborhood cleanup of Forest Park Parkway, deemed Raiders of the Lost Parkway, inspired then-Mayor Vince Schoemehl to do something similar citywide. Who did he turn to for implementation of the idea? His oldest sister, Lu, of course.
“Who would have imagined thousands – and there were thousands – of St. Louisans coming together for this major overhaul of our streets, alleys, and vacant lots,” said Ms. Rice. “Her energy and organizing abilities willed this program into being and it literally transformed our city.”
Organizing people came naturally to Ms. Green because she was the eldest of 12 children and had five of her own. She and her young family moved to the 6100 block of McPherson in 1966. In 1972 she moved with her husband Sam to the 6100 block of Westminster.
It was a time of change in the neighborhood – not all of it good. Crime was high, some residents were fleeing and banks were not lending to property buyers.
Social Energy
The Greens, along with a cadre of like-minded families set out to organize and socially link the neighborhood. They all recognized that the key to stabilizing it was connecting neighbors.
“Socializing was mandatory,” Ms. Rice said. “Lu insisted on a social fabric and understood it was the key to staving off another round of social decline.”
Neighborhood events such as new neighbor parties, potlucks and Democratic and political fundraisers all became weekend destinations, especially for younger residents.
“We all went to the same functions, usually at St. Roch, and sat together at the same table eating, drinking, and even singing and dancing,” recalled Lois Schoemehl. “If we weren’t at the church, we were at someone’s house – usually the Greens.”
When the weather was nice, the Greens opened the gate separating the yard they shared with best friends Jo Ann and Neville Vatcha, enabling guests to circulate between the two.
Beyond the Neighborhood
Professionally, Ms. Green was Ralston Purina’s first female grocery product sales rep in the 1970s, a founder of several nonprofits and an accomplished fundraiser and political strategist. She mentored countless professionals young and old, always making time to listen to a challenge and help develop a sound plan of action.
But it was her vast and ever-growing family from which she drew her strength and was most proud. She organized – and loved – family events, including a Santa Claus party that continues to enthrall generations of family and neighborhood children (and adults) after more than 50 years (special thanks to neighbors Marj Weir and Danny Hudspeth).
Ms. Green also welcomed new family members or friends with open arms. “She started as my sister-in-law and became my best friend,” said Lois Schoemehl. “Our friendship grew because she was so easy to talk to, and my kids and I loved going down the street to visit Aunt Louie!”
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2026.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
