BARBARA RUDY DONHAM SCHWARTZ

Barbara Rudy Donham Schwartz It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Rudy Donham Schwartz at home in Lucas Valley on Sunday, January 16, 2011. Through her energy, personal style, and drive to make things beautiful, at home and in her community, she showed all of us her love. Barbara was born on August 12, 1942 in San Francisco to Olga and Sidney Rudy. She grew up in Ross, attending Ross School and Sir Francis Drake High School, then graduating from Redwood High School in 1960. She attended the University of Oregon, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 1966. Barbara worked in special education for 17 years, earning a master's degree in the Education of Exceptional Children from San Francisco State University in 1969, then teaching deaf, blind, and mentally disabled children in the Bay Area, and at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston. Changing careers, she worked for six years administering conservatorships and trusts. Later Barbara turned her energy to volunteer work: in leadership roles over ten years with the Marin Designers' Showcase; on the Marinwood Parks and Recreation Commission; and as a member of ORT America and Congregation Rodef Sholom. Barbara was proud mother to two boys, Jake and Matt, with her first husband Dexter Donham. In 1990 Barbara married Irving Schwartz. Together they enjoyed renovating and decorating their home in Lucas Valley, vacationing in Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe, and attending symphony, theater, and lectures. Barbara was devoted to her garden, and filled the house with flowers, particularly orchids and paperwhites. With her many friends she enjoyed opera and ballet, and was part of a long-running book group. One of Barbara's greatest pleasures was sitting on the shore of Lake Tahoe, especially Sand Harbor, feet in the water, taking in the views and the setting sun. Barbara is survived by her husband Irving Schwartz, her sons Jacob (wife Kit) and Matthew (partner Jeffrey) and their father Dexter Donham, grandson Easley, step daughter Susan Becker, step son Ed Schwartz, brothers Alan Rudy (wife Maxine) and Charles Rudy (wife Mary), cousin Leonard Harris (wife Barbara), as well as nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at Sha'arei Shalom, Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, 2500 5th Avenue in San Rafael. Contributions in Barbara's name may be made to The Helene Jaffe Ovarian Cancer Fund c/o Robert B. Jaffe, M.D., University of California, San Francisco, 533 Parnassus Ave., Room U266, San Francisco, CA 94143-0556; Congregation Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA 94903; or a charity of your choosing.