Melvin Swartz

Melvin Jay Swartz Melvin Jay "Mel" Swartz, 82, died at home in Olympia, Washington on Thursday, June 6, 2013, surrounded by family and friends. Mel was independent and empathic, a gentle man with a playful spirit. He always followed his own unique, internal guide and could be counted on for a good joke or insightful story. Mel was innately generous, committed to social justice and loved to help people. He was a regular participant in the Friday Peace Vigil at Percival Landing. Mel valued irreverence and compassion, and prioritized dogs and children, even those who were not his own. He was born in Boston on July 21, 1930, graduated from Syracuse University and earned his LLB degree from Boston University School of Law. Mel moved to Arizona in 1959, where he focused his law practice on estate planning and probate issues. Author of three books, he moved to Olympia in 2006. Mel is survived by his daughter, Julianne Swartz of Stone Ridge, NY; his son, Jonathan Swartz of Olympia; his sister, Estelle Lipman of Sunrise, FL; and three grandchildren who adored their grandfather. An informal gathering of family and friends will be held in Olympia on June 16, 2013. For more information, please call 360-753-1065 or visit www.FuneralAlternatives.org.