Patricia (Paddy) Schwartz's Obituary
Patricia (Paddy) Cahn Schwartz, age 80, passed away on February 15, 2022, after valiantly battling cancer for two years. She is survived by her husband, Edward, to whom she was married for almost 60 years, her two sons; David and his wife Renee, and Donald and his wife Krista, and two grandchildren; Sally and Molly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ursule Cahn.
Paddy grew up in Hamden, CT and maintained many of her childhood friendships from school and camp. She later graduated from Boston University with a major in Art History. The following week, she and Eddie were the first to be married in the newly built Congregation Mishkan Israel chapel. She moved to Chicago with Ed and supported them while Ed earned his MBA. Then, in the Chicago suburbs, she had her first son David, and then 2 years later, Donald. She was active in the community and involved in her growing children’s lives as a “picture lady” in the schools, cub-scout den mother, and percussion/gymnastics supporter. Later she got involved with archeology, anthropology, Native American arts, the Mitchell Museum, and started Skystone Treasures with her friend, selling Native American jewelry.
Paddy and Ed retired to Tucson where she made more friends, and again contributed to the community by volunteering in many organizations. She was a lifelong art lover; beginning with classical European paintings and music, and evolving into her specialty of Southwest Native American arts and culture. An avid reader, she consumed reference books and became highly knowledgeable about antique and modern Southwest pottery, jewelry, baskets, weavings, carvings, and the Native American artists who handcrafted these treasures. She made many friendships with the artists she met and supported, as well as other community members who shared her interests.
Her family and friends will remember that Paddy loved sharing her knowledge and was a prolific collector, but that most of all she loved her ever-growing circle of friends and family. She was a loyal friend and ally who spoke her mind, and always put people first.
A Memorial Service will be held in the Biblical Garden at Kol Ami in Tucson Arizona on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 2pm (Mountain Standard Time) and will be available on Zoom at:
https://katucson-org.zoom.us/j/96562173371?pwd=Ulg1ZkdwQ1k1TVJPcHVTL2R0c1NQQT09.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.LLS.org). We wish to thank the caregivers from Placita and Honor, the Hospice staff at Emblem, and the caregivers at Sonora Skilled Nursing.
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