Katherine Scherer Schwarz, age 88, died on Friday, May 3, 2024. The only child of the late Reinhold and Emma Scherer Schwarz, the only members of their direct families to immigrate from Germany to the United States, Katherine (Kathy) was born on September 1, 1935 in Hamilton, Ohio.
Kathy graduated from Hamilton High School in 1953, Rollins College in 1957, and The Ohio State University in 1959 with a Master of Social Work degree. She worked at Franklin County Children Services from 1959 until retirement in 1995, where her work included most aspects of child welfare services but gradually branched into program evaluation and information systems. In mid-career she completed the business data processing program at Columbus State Community College with an AAB degree, and also took courses at Franklin University and Central Michigan University. She was one of the pioneers in developing information systems in Ohio child welfare, and at retirement was Director of Information Systems at FCCS.
Kathy loved traveling. As a member of the American Volkssport Association, she did 1Ok or longer walks in each state capital and again elsewhere in each state. She went on two world cruises and also on long cruises around South America and around the Far East. Although she soloed planes when a teenager, she gradually became averse to flying but still managed to get to Europe on several occasions, usually by liner but once on the Concorde. Her interests were broad. She loved cats, black raspberry foraging, gardening, OSU football, women's gymnastics, art exhibits, plays, and most kinds of music. For 15 years she was a member of the Scioto Valley Chorus. She was an avid swimmer, until recently swimming a mile several times a week in summer.
Kathy's only relatives in the USA are two second cousins in North Carolina, Walter Goebelt and Carl Frederick Goebelt and his family. There are additional relatives in Germany. Kathy also leaves many friends, including Billie Stavrakis and her family who "adopted" Kathy for holidays after her parents died. Kathy also had friends from high school in Hamilton and many friends from work and from her neighborhoods in Columbus and Hamilton.
At Kathy's request, there will be no services. If they wish, friends may contribute to the Katherine S. Schwarz Fund for Natural Areas at the Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. 3rd Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, or to the Reinhold and Emma Schwarz Fund for Music and Dance Education and Performance, also at the Hamilton Community Foundation, or to the Jack Donahue Scholarship Fund at Franklin County Children Services, 855 W. Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.
Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN.
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