Barbara Ann Moore Schwartz

Barbara Ann (Moore) Schwartz passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, at home in Sacramento, surrounded by family. She was 95. Known for her kindness, wisdom and humor, she was a loving and generous family member, community activist and friend to many. Her creative energies were first and foremost centered on honoring and supporting the people she loved and the causes she cared about. She was known as a lifelong master of the humorous wisecrack. Barbara is survived by sons Dirk Schwartz (Linda) and Damon Schwartz; daughters Brooke Schwartz (John Corlett) and Tracy Schwartz Matthews (Stephen); eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and a large extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, U.S. District Judge Milton L. Schwartz; brothers Robert, David and Richard Moore; and sisters Katherine Nielsen and Virginia Rivett. Barbara was the fifth of six children born to Robert L. Moore Sr., founder of the Orchard Supply Company of Sacramento, and Jessie L. Moore, a music teacher. She attended Sierra Elementary, California Jr. High, Sacramento High, McClatchy High and Sacramento Junior College. She was a talented writer and served as editor of the McClatchy newspaper. She attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and was active in youth organizations. She belonged to Omicron Alpha Sorority, and in 1941 was chosen Pioneer Queen of Sacramento Junior College in a photo competition judged by Bob Hope. Barbara and Milton dated for three years and married in May, 1942, after Milt was called to active duty as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. They lived briefly in Tacoma, WA, until he was deployed to the South Pacific. During his three-year absence she worked at KROY radio and Bank of America, and volunteered as a Red Cross nurse's aide. Barb and Milt wrote to each other every day while he was overseas. Following the war they lived briefly in New York City, then Berkeley, CA, where he completed his law degree at Boalt Hall. Returning to Sacramento, they settled in South Land Park to raise their family. Barbara supported Milt's career and the diverse interests of their children and grandchildren with energy and passion. In addition she was active in the Sacramento public schools, Camp Fire, Girl Scouts and many charitable, political, and civic causes. She served as co-Chair of the KVIE television auction, docent for the Crocker Art Museum, and Vice President of the Sacramento Junior League, where she was instrumental in the creation of Fairytale Town. She worked tirelessly in support of nuclear disarmament, state mental health funding, and children's welfare, and volunteered with the Red Cross in the flood disaster relief effort in West Virginia in 1985. Barb and Milt enjoyed season tickets to the San Francisco Forty-Niners. They traveled in the US, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia and Guam, but their favorite vacation spots were in California at Rio Del Mar and Lake Tahoe. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed bridge, crafts, cooking, fishing, music, collecting art and walking with friends. Her talents included writing skits and rewriting the lyrics to popular songs for public and private events. During the early years of television she contributed clever dialog for the Crusader Rabbit cartoon series. Barbara made lasting friends wherever she was. She never stopped offering help to others, even when her own capacities were failing, and never lost her humorous outlook. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, at 11:00 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross - Gold Country Region, for disaster services; KVIE public television; or the charity of your choice.