Eileen Schwartz

Eileen Bernice Furman Schwartz passed away on Thursday December 1, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at the Cypress of Raleigh. Eileen was born September 17, 1935 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Albert and Sylvia Furman. She was reared in Richmond, Virginia where she met her future husband, Ron, at the age of thirteen at a backyard party given by her mother. It was love at first sight for Ron and after five years of courtship they married.

Eileen was a beautiful woman inside and out, a wonderful and loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She was a fantastic partner to Ron for 62 years and they raised three wonderful children together. She worked alongside as an equal partner with Ron in their several business endeavors. Eileen was a Woman of Valor, a strong, philanthropic leader in the Raleigh Jewish Community. She served a two-term as President of the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation and was inducted as an Honorary Lifetime Member. She belonged to Temple Beth Or for over 40 years and served on the Board of Trustees. Eileen was a proud member of the Lion of Judah, the highest level of Jewish Women’s Philanthropy. Her philanthropy to the Jewish Community will be continued in her name through an endowment she created. Her work as a Lion of Judah took her around the world on mission trips to include Israel, Ethiopia and Cuba. Eileen was also a Lifetime Member of Hadassah.

Eileen and Ron loved to travel with their close friends, Howard and Carole Guld and Al and Doris Turkel. Eileen particularly liked attending the Pops Concerts at the NC Symphony.

Special thanks goes out to the exceptional caregivers at Rosewood Health Center, Dr. Steve Liebowitz, Dr.Leigh Ibach and personal trainer, Jodi Holden. Their support and loving kindness were unparalleled.

Eileen is loved and will be terribly missed. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Sylvia Furman and brother, Jerry Furman. She is survived by her loving husband Ronald, her children Meryle Schwartz and wife, Cheryl Mesimore of Hillsborough, NC, Amy Bush and husband, Leonard of Raleigh, Stuart Schwartz and partner, Sharon Figer of Raleigh, Grandchildren, Adam Bush, Michael Bush, Eric Schwartz and Michelle Schwartz of Raleigh/Durham. Eileen is survived by special lifelong friends, Cathy Smith, Dorothy Wizer, Terri Union, Carol Guld, Barbara Shockett, Martha Seidenstein, Carol Cohen and Doris Turkel, and many special family cousins.

Contributions in Eileen’s honor can be made to the Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary located at 8210 Creedmoor Road – 104 Raleigh NC 27613.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 4, 3:00 pm at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery located at 450 N. State Street Raleigh NC 27601.

A Memorial service will be held afterwards on Sunday, December 4 at 4:30 pm at Temple Beth Or, located at 5315 Creedmoor Road Raleigh NC 27612.

Shiva Services will be held on Monday and Tuesday December 5 & 6 at 7:00 pm at Temple Beth Or.

Arrangements are under the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 300 Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605