Anita Augusta Oertzen Schwarz passed away at the age of 98 on February 19, 2015.
She was born on September 7, 1916 in Newark, New Jersey to Edward C. and Frances Oertzen. After earning a degree in Health and Physical Education from Montclair State Teacher’s College in New Jersey, she taught in New Jersey, Minnesota and Wisconsin. She married her college sweetheart, Fred Schwarz, in 1941. They celebrated 64 very happy years together. He preceded her in death in 2005.
Anita was an avid reader, a bridge player, a piano player and an accomplished cook. She enjoyed writing poetry, dancing with her husband, music, and collecting antique china dolls. She also enjoyed traveling around the world with her husband, spending summers at the Jersey Shore, and taking numerous trips to Ireland with friends. She was proud to be an Irish Catholic and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church.
She was Founder and the first President of the University Women’s Group for the University at Lake San Marcos. She helped raise substantial funds for their educational programs.
Family was her top priority. Her four daughters were her greatest love, Judy Breunig, Anita Westberg, Carol Lory and Debbie Pierre. Anita is survived by her daughters; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Friends and family will remember with pride her love of education, commitment to family, passion for traveling and the examples she set.
Special thanks to all the staff at Morningstar Memory Care at Bear Creek who took such loving care of Anita while she resided there, and to the compassionate caregivers at Interim Hospice.
A private family ceremony and inurnment will be at Shrine of Remembrance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Family Appreciation Fund, Morningstar Memory Care at Bear Creek, 2450 Lower Gold Camp Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.