Barbara Jean Schwartz

Barbara Jean Schwartz, 85, of Williamsburg, Michigan, died Monday, December 29, 2014 at home. She was born on October 13th, 1929 in Saginaw, MI, the daughter of Francis and Ann (Smrekar) Vitkuske of Midland.


Barbara and her twin sister, Betty were talented pianists who played many masses, weddings and funerals at St. Brigid's Church while attending school there. Upon high school graduation, she and Betty attended Marygrove College and then Michigan State University.


Barbara married Robert Schwartz on June 12, 1950. They lived in the Ann Arbor area while Bob completed his architectural degree from the University of Michigan in 1954, after which they returned to live in their hometown of Midland.


Barbara loved being a homemaker and was a talented seamstress who tailored clothes for herself and her children. She enjoyed reading literary fiction, gardening, and tending to the dozens of plants that filled their home. She was actively involved in supporting her husband's business, Robert E. Schwartz & Associates Architects, and they became friends with many of Bob's clients over his fifty years in architectural practice in Midland. Barbara started working at Dow Chemical when her children entered school and retired from the Dow Legal Department in 1992. She continued friendships with many of her Dow Co-workers. She and Bob also enjoyed spending time at their homes in Northport, Michigan and Venice, Florida.


Family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staffs of Hope Village in Williamsburg, MI where Barbara lived at the time of her death, and to Hospice of Michigan which provided outstanding support to Barbara and her family.


She is survived by her children Linda Schwartz (David Yoder) of Bonita Springs, Fl; Sara and Gary Noteware of Williamsburg, MI; Robert Schwartz Jr of New York City; grandchildren Mark Farrell and Lisa (Keegan) Myers of Traverse City, MI; great grandson Tegan Farrell; brother Jake Vitkuske of Venice, Fl and twin sister Betty VanderKelen of Midland, MI and ten nieces and nephews.


Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Schwartz; brother-in-law James VanderKelen; sister-in-law Mary Vitkuske; brother-in-law Thomas Schwartz and sister-in-law Patricia Schwartz.


Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 5 to 7pm at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home, Midland, followed by a brief Catholic vigil at 7pm conducted by Deacon Aloysius Oliver. Private family burial will be in the Midland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara's name to the Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Traverse City, Michigan 49684 Please visit Barbara's obituary page at www.wilson-miller.com.