Barbara Schwartz, 93

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Barbara Amber Schwartz died on Aug. 3, 2023, at Steere House. She was the beloved wife of the late Morris P. Schwartz. Barbara was born in Brooklyn, New York, and previously resided in Greenville and Providence.

Connecting with others was her passion. Barbara made friends wherever she went. She wanted to know your family and your personal story and, if she admired what you were wearing, was eager to bestow compliments. Later in life, she connected with many of her caregivers, first by asking them questions, then by kvelling about her extended family, including the pets. She loved Morris dearly and missed him deeply since his passing in late 2020.

Barbara attended Hope High School with her future sister-in-law, Rosalind Schwartz, who introduced her to Morris in 1947. Thus began the start of a 73-year love affair. Barbara graduated with a degree in child development from the University of Rhode Island in 1952 and was a member of URI Hillel. She stayed connected to Hillel as a volunteer and alumnae board member. She was a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El and volunteered at the Jewish Home for the Aged, The Miriam Hospital, the Groden Center, RI Food Bank and numerous other organizations.

Barbara loved to play tennis and watch it on TV. Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Serena Williams were some of her favorites. She also loved music; she idolized the other Barbara from Brooklyn, the incomparable Barbra Streisand.

Barbara was a loving mother to Judith Flaxman and her husband, Bill, of Long Island, New York; Bill Schwartz and his girlfriend, Sheryl Rich-Kern, of Nashua, New Hampshire; and Steven Schwartz and his wife, Gail Agronick, of Greenville. She was especially proud of her six grandchildren: Jonathan, Samantha, Michaela, Jordan, Zoe and Adeline, their partners and their pets.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Morris P. Schwartz, and her parents, William and Rose Amber, of Cranston.

The family would like to express its deep appreciation to the wonderful caregivers at Steere House.

Contributions may be made by mail or online to Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 100 Borden St., Providence, RI 02903.