Edward Lee Schwing

EDWARD LEE SCHWING, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend passed from this life to eternal life everlasting on Monday morning, January 8, 2007. At age 55, Edward was predeceased by his father Larry C. Schwing Sr., his paternal grandparents Edward P. Schwing and wife Rosemont Boudreaux Schwing; and maternal grandparents Ross L. Martella Sr. and wife Lydia Engel Martella. Edward is survived by his mother Magdalene B. "Mickey" Schwing and his brothers Larry C. Schwing Jr. and wife Marlene; Charles S. Schwing and wife Carol; Ross L. Schwing; Paul E. Schwing and wife Sandra; 27 nieces and nephews. Edward was a third generation, native Houstonian, a graduate of Robert E. Lee Sr. High School Houston and a former art student at the University of St. Thomas. Early in his career as a productive artist "Ed" worked in his painting / ceramics studio and at the Houston Grand Opera in Make-up and costume design. Ed was truly a pioneer artist and craftsman who helped organize and contributed to the formation of the original Westheimer Colony Arts Festival. Early in his career Ed became a recognized talent in original and unique high-fashion design. Ed worked in "the trade" in Houston, New Orleans, Louisiana, West Palm Beach, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Ed specialized in costume and mask design / fabrication with noted pieces in New Orleans and Galveston Mardi Gras private collections. He was a published photographer as well as designer, with works exhibited in the official travel publications of the City of New Orleans. Ed was a long-standing member of The Krewe of the Court of St. Anne, an artistic, French-quarter based organization in New Orleans, as well as an avid supporter of the Galveston Mardi Gras and education about Mardi Gras festivities. Edward enjoyed traveling, making new friends and expanding his business acquaintances. His European sojourns to Italy and Greece allowed him to attend the recent "Prefecttura Del La Casa Pontifica," installation of Pope Benedict XVI; work with Italian based manufacturers and explore his Sicilian family heritage. Ed's lifelong travels across the USA helped expand his prolific and very diverse artistic career. Services for Edward will include: Family visitation from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at Earthman Hunter's Creek, 8303 Katy Freeway; a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at St. Michael's Catholic Chruch, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, with a Rite of Committal and interment following at Forest Park Westheimer mausoleum and cemetery. Please send remembrances and charitable donations to the following: The Omega House Hospice, Houston; the University of St. Thomas Father Francis Monaghan Scholarship Fund; J. Michael Miller, CSB and Titular Archbishop of Vertara, Congregazione Per L'Educacione Cattolica, Citta del Vaticano.